USCG Warns Mariners About
Marijuana and CBD Use
The USCG has issued a bulletin emphasizing that the use of marijuana by safety-sensitive transportation employees, including licensed deck and engineering officers, tankermen, federal and state pilots, among others, is still illegal under federal law…no matter where you live, despite the drug being legalized for recreational use in 10 states and the District of Columbia and medical use in more than half the country.
The USCG posted on their website that the DOT "does not authorize medical marijuana under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a transportation employee's positive drug test result."
Not only does marijuana leave sufficient amounts of THC to cause a positive drug test, but CBD (cannabidiol) products often contain psychoactive THC in large enough quantities to cause a positive drug test as well.
Testing positive for marijuana, or any other dangerous drug, can trigger some very serious consequences for mariners, including job termination and revocation of merchant mariner credentials.
Don't let your career, or the safety of those around you, go up in smoke.
Since 1935, MOPS has protected the licenses and livelihoods of more than 80,000 deck and engineering officers, state and federal pilots and certified tankermen.
We cover USCG licensed officers operating aboard vessels of any size in every sector of the maritime industry. If you want a quote, give us a ring at 800-782-8902, ext. 3608 or 3302. Or fill out our online form and we'll email you a quote.