By Adam R. Young, Jennifer L. Mora, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Across nationwide testing, marijuana positivity rates for 2022 reached 4.3% (up from 2.7% in 2017), with biggest gains found in states that legalized recreational marijuana. 

Impairment and related safety hazards have been disrupting the workplace resulting in lost time, absenteeism, safety hazards, and serious industrial

Continue Reading High Times: Marijuana Positivity in Workplace Drug Tests Reaches 25-Year Record

By Adam R. YoungRobert T. Szyba, Robert S. Whitman, and  Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The New York Department of Labor published “Frequently Asked Questions” which address occupational cannabis issues under the adult-use cannabis and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).

New York State has legalized medical and recreational marijuana, and
Continue Reading New York Department of Labor Attempts to Prohibit Drug Testing for Cannabis, Employment Actions Against Some Employees Who are Impaired at Work

By James L. Curtis and Adam R. Young

Seyfarth Synopsis: The National Safety Council released a policy statement endorsing employer zero-tolerance policies for cannabis use for employees who work in safety-sensitive positions, explaining that no level of cannabis is safe.

Unlike a test for Blood Alcohol Content, testing results for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolites (the psychoactive components of cannabis)
Continue Reading National Safety Council Endorses Zero Tolerance Prohibition on Cannabis/Marijuana for Safety-Sensitive Employees

By Brent I. ClarkJames L. CurtisAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently rolled out Our Roads, Our Safety, a national safety campaign to raise awareness about sharing the road safely with large trucks and buses. 

The Agency noted that “trucks and buses are
Continue Reading U.S. DOT FMCSA Update on Distracted Driving

By Brent I. ClarkErin Dougherty Foley, and Craig B. Simonsen

By Proclamation, President Obama has declared December 2015, to be “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.” 80 Fed. Reg. 75781 (December 3, 2015).

The President declares that “no person should suffer the tragedy of losing someone as a result of drunk, drugged, or distracted driving….” He notes that
Continue Reading President Declares “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month”