You may be wondering about the legalities and repercussions of truck drivers using CBD oil while on the job. After all, CBD is derived from industrial hemp plants (federally legal), and “hemp” has been improperly used to describe marijuana plants (federally illegal) for decades.
Not to mention, with Full Spectrum CBD products having trace amounts of THC, could truckers be at risk of losing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by taking these specific types of CBD-rich hemp extracts?
In this article, I cover all the notable concerns, fears, and common worries truckers may have about using CBD with a hyper-focus on answering the following question, can commercial truck drivers use CBD oil?
See the Table of Contents on the left to jump to your preferred topic of interest.
Here are the answers to the most common frequently asked questions about CBD that truck drivers have. From this section alone, you will obtain the tools and the knowledge to make an educated and informed decision about whether or not to add CBD to your diet.
You’ve read the FAQs; now it’s time for the facts.
Here I outline some facts regarding the current laws and regulations surrounding CBD products at both the State and Federal levels and what commercial drivers with a CDL need to know about using CBD before, after, or while driving.
CBD was legalized in 2018 when President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill, less commonly but officially known as the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. The new law removed hemp from the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list, reclassifying it as an agricultural commodity that could be grown for industrial, research, and wellness purposes like CBD oil.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) states that any product with a concentration of more than 0.3 percent THC is classified as marijuana, a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
To support the above, the DOT Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) offers a “DOT CBD Notice” on its website. The first paragraph references the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, which states that CBD products derived from hemp with concentrations lower than 0.3% THC are not considered marijuana and are, therefore, not a controlled substance, thus, legal.
On May 27, 2021, a Clearinghouse Update was issued by FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This update’s purpose was to remind all CDL drivers to “exercise caution” when deciding whether to use Cannabidiol-infused products.
According to MartinDale.com, a highly noted legal information provider with the “richest database of legal professionals,” there were five key points from this update that all CDL drivers need to know, expressed in the photo immediately below.
Commercial truck drivers have many questions about CBD, especially regarding driving with it across state lines. We’ve already covered that federal law allows for CBD consumption as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and is derived from hemp plants. However, we want to give you a heads-up on a scenario I’ve only read about but never witnessed first-hand so take this precaution with a grain of salt.
If you carry a Full Spectrum CBD product, even if it has less than 0.3% THC, you may run into an unfavorable situation with law enforcement officials if they find the CBD oil and want to test the product to ensure that it is legal.
From time to time, police officers stop and search trucks at weighing stations or while crossing state borders, but from talking with law enforcement on several occasions, as long as your product is legal in that state and has a working QR code on the product label that shows the CBD product’s third-party lab test results (Certificate of Analysis) when scanned, you should be okay.
Again, CBD is the legal cannabinoid, and THC is the illegal cannabinoid, so the type of CBD you use should be taken very seriously. Doing this will help you avoid any potential problems or misunderstandings.
Semi-truck drivers must comply with Federal drug testing regulations, and the Department of Transportation went the extra mile by creating a PowerPoint presentation titled, Impact Of Hemp Legalization On Safety Oversight Of CMV Drivers.
This document offers a clear list of the narcotics forbidden to truck drivers; see the photo below.
As you can see, CBD is not listed as one of the chemical compounds that DOT drug tests for, nor what the MCSAC (Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee), which is responsible for providing recommendations to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety regulations, forbids truck drivers operating commercial motor vehicles from having in their system.
Thus, THC is clearly shown to be the only compliance threat concerning truck drivers using hemp and cannabis products, not CBD.
My goal in this section is to help you find the perfect CBD product with the highest guarantee of obtaining the results you’re seeking whilst never jeopardizing your active CDL. To accomplish this, as briefly introduced in previous sections of this article, truck drivers should only consume CBD products that have ND (non-detectable) amounts of THC or are completely THC-FREE.
In this section, I break down the two CBD products that are perfect for truck drivers, with links to learn more and where to buy them.
While pure CBD isolate-infused products are significant, we recommend Broad Spectrum CBD for truck drivers because they are more efficacious and offer a multiplying effect of the benefits of CBD via the entourage effect.
Commercial truck drivers like you spend long hours on the road, often traveling across the country. The stress of the job can be tough to manage, and many drivers are looking for ways to relax and ease tension. CBD has been shown to have several potential benefits for people in high-stress jobs, including:
helping improve anxiety and depression-related symptoms
relieve pain and inflammation
reduce stress
improve sleep quality
and increase focus
These potential benefits could benefit truck drivers who often deal with long hours, aching muscles, tight deadlines, and stressful road and weather conditions. Truck drivers may also find that CBD helps them stay calm and focused while on the road. This is especially true if your sleep quality improves, allowing you to wake up more refreshed and energized for the next long haul.
Lastly, CBD has been used by millions of people worldwide, and anecdotal evidence suggests that it is a safe and effective way to improve your overall health and well-being by supporting the proper functioning of your Endocannabinoid System.
The answer is yes.
Truck drivers can take and use CBD products given that there is no THC being consumed, the truck driver’s employer allows its use, the driver complies with all Federal Drug Testing Regulations, and all DOT warnings are considered.
With complete adherence to the above and only purchasing CBD products from trusted and licensed CBD brands, you’ll take all the necessary steps to ensure your safety.
If you are unclear about the side effects of CBD or need more guidance in any step of your CBD journey, we recommend contacting us and speaking with an MMJ doctor to ensure you get the most sound and accurate information possible.
Cannabidiol Life supports every person that wants or needs CBD via our free CBD Discount Program.
Join our 20,000+ other savvy CBD shoppers and get a 37% OFF COUPON immediately.
