How have attitudes toward marijuana changed?

Publication: Transportation Security & Risk Management Today

Date Posted: 07/30/2020

Attitudes toward marijuana

Commercial drivers are prohibited from using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in any form (marijuana, CBD products). Nevertheless, it appears that Americans in general are changing their attitudes on THC.

Take the following quiz to see just how much has changed.

Ten years ago less than 6% of the general public used marijuana. What was the percentage in 2018?
1. 25.2%
2. 10.1%
3. 5.4%
4. Remains the same
Answer: b
In 2018, what percentage of Americans see a “great risk of harm” from smoking marijuana 1-2 times a week?
1. 52.3%
2. 81.5%
3. 30.6%
4. 15.7%
Answer: c. This was a decrease from 31.9% in 2017.
Opioids are the drugs of choice for commercial drivers, while marijuana is a close second.
1. True
2. False
Answer: b. False. More than 10,000 positive drug tests for THC were reported to the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse during its first five months. Positive tests for other types of drugs were well below this number: cocaine, 3,192; methamphetamines, 2,184; and amphetamines, 1,108.

What does the quiz tell us about Attitudes toward marijuana?

Despite the increased usage and acceptance of THC, it should be a warning to motor carriers to educate drivers, supervisors, and others in the organization that FMCSA still prohibits its use. The prohibition applies to both CDL and non-CDL commercial motor vehicle drivers.

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