2026 DOT Drug Testing Update - Rescheduling Marijuana to Schedule 3 drug

This video provides a critical update on the rapidly evolving status of marijuana under U.S. federal law and what it could mean for workplace and DOT-regulated drug testing. On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. That action set in motion a formal regulatory process that culminated on April 23, when the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration issued their final order officially placing marijuana in Schedule III. While that decision answered one major question, it opened several others—particularly around workplace drug testing, federal safety regulations, and DOT oversight. The next steps are expected from several key federal agencies, beginning with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) out of the White House. From there, guidance is anticipated from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), followed by HHS (Health and Human Services), which will play a central role in defining policy language around marijuana testing in the workplace. Once that guidance is issued, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must conduct its own rulemaking and decision process to determine whether marijuana testing will continue under existing authority, be allowed through a specific safety carve‑out, or be paused while new regulations are developed. This video also explores: • The uncertainty surrounding DOT-regulated drug testing during this transition • The role and limits of a potential “safety carve‑out” • Oral fluid testing versus urine testing and the scientific gaps that still exist • What employers, safety professionals, and regulated industries should be watching closely As of now, many critical questions remain unanswered. This update is designed to help you understand where things stand, what decisions are still pending, and why the next round of federal guidance will be so important. Stay informed as this situation continues to unfold.