{"id":38816,"date":"2025-06-20T11:13:22","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T11:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=38816"},"modified":"2025-10-13T14:57:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T18:57:54","slug":"can-truck-drivers-use-medical-cannabis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/can-truck-drivers-use-medical-cannabis\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Truck Drivers Use Medical Cannabis?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may think that when someone has a medical cannabis card, they are able to use cannabis however their medical practitioner sees fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this is not always the case! Depending on someone\u2019s employment and place of work, they may not be able to use cannabis, even if they were to obtain a medical cannabis card.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifically, we\u2019ll be looking at semi-truck drivers, or drivers with a commercial driver\u2019s license. Due to the safety and responsibility of their work, these drivers face strict restrictions that make using medical cannabis a complex issue. We\u2019ll dive in and investigate!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Medical Cannabis Card?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Photo Credit: iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, what is a medical cannabis card? A medical cannabis card allows you to legally utilize cannabis to aid with <\/span>physical and mental health conditions<\/span><\/a>, including seizures, insomnia, anxiety, and more. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>To get a medical cannabis card, you apply through a medical practitioner, pay fees, and then receive your card online or in the mail. The specific timelines and requirements around obtaining a medical cannabis card vary by state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have a medical cannabis card, you can legally utilize cannabis for your conditions, with specific limitations and boundaries. A medical cannabis card can be an extremely helpful and even necessary tool for some people to deal with their health conditions while adhering to the law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Restrictions on Drivers<\/b><\/h2>\n

So, can licensed semi-truck drivers use medical cannabis if they have a medical cannabis card? Generally speaking, the answer is no.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department of Transportation governs truck drivers with a CDL (commercial driver\u2019s license), so federal rules apply\u2014even in states where medical cannabis is legal.. <\/span>Fundamental explains<\/span><\/a>, \u201c<\/span>Under 49 CFR Part 40<\/span><\/a>, the DOT does not allow the use of marijuana, and will not accept physician recommendations as an exception to this rule. This means you can lose your CDL even if medical marijuana is legal with a prescription in your state.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, the DOT does not allow any cannabis use on the job, even with a medical card. <\/span>The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also has a zero-tolerance policy for cannabis use. <\/span>
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What are the punishments for cannabis use?<\/b><\/h3>\n

So, what happens if commercial truck drivers are found to be using cannabis? According to the <\/span>Turbo Team<\/span><\/a>, \u201c<\/span>The repercussions for CDL drivers who use marijuana, even for medical purposes, can be severe. These may include:<\/span><\/p>\n