What Marijuana Reclassification Means for Truck Drivers & Owner Operators

On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This policy shift marks one of the most significant federal marijuana policy changes in decades — but what does it mean for truck drivers, owner operators, heavy duty truck repair shops, and those working hard to keep America moving?

Understanding the Executive Order

Under current federal law, marijuana sits in Schedule I, a category reserved for drugs considered to have no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse — the same tier as heroin and LSD. Trump’s order calls on the Attorney General to complete the rescheduling process to Schedule III, where drugs are seen as having moderate to low potential for dependence and accepted medical use — more like prescription medications such as Tylenol with codeine.

However, this executive order does not immediately legalize marijuana at the federal level nor does it instantly change how the drug is regulated. The reclassification process must still go through formal rulemaking before it becomes official.

What It Doesn’t Change for Truck Drivers Today

For truck drivers and owner operators, the most important takeaway is this:

Marijuana use remains prohibited for safety-sensitive transportation workers until the rescheduling process is legally complete, and even then, federal guidelines could still treat it as a disqualifying substance. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has made it clear that drug testing policies will not change simply because an executive order was signed. Until marijuana’s status is officially amended in federal regulations, it remains a Schedule I drug for testing and compliance purposes, and drivers are subject to the same drug test standards they always have been. 

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has emphasized the importance of maintaining strict testing authority for marijuana in safety-sensitive positions, citing safety concerns for the industry.

What It Could Mean in the Future

If marijuana ultimately becomes a Schedule III substance, several longer-term impacts might ripple into the trucking world:

🔹 Research & Medical Use

Rescheduling could open doors for more robust medical research and potentially more accepted medical applications for certain marijuana-derived products. 

🔹 Insurance & Medical Marijuana

Schedule III status could make marijuana-related medical prescriptions eligible for coverage under some healthcare plans — though this is a long-term possibility, not a current reality.

🔹 Industry Clarity

While minimal now, formal rescheduling may eventually lead to clearer national standards than the current state-by-state patchwork of marijuana laws (40 states have medical programs and 24 have recreational programs). But again, federal trucking drug testing regulations remain unchanged until DOT revises them through official rulemaking.

Bottom Line for Diesel Truck Drivers & Owner Operators

Even though President Trump’s executive order sets the wheels in motion for a less restrictive classification of marijuana — and may influence broader cannabis policy — truck drivers are not free to use marijuana while working in safety-sensitive roles. The drug testing rules enforced by DOT and employer policies will stay in place through the rescheduling process. 

If you’re a diesel truck driver or owner operator relying on consistent compliance — and perhaps services like diesel truck repair or a mobile semi mechanic — understanding and following these rules protects your career, your safety record, and everyone on the road.

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