Daniel had been driving trucks for 15 years. He’d seen a lot change in the industry, but one thing stayed the same—DOT’s strict drug testing rules.

During a lunch stop, a couple of younger drivers were talking about marijuana.
“I don’t get it,” one said. “It’s legal in half the states now, but DOT still acts like it’s the worst thing out there.”

Daniel set down his coffee. “It’s not about whether it’s legal—it’s about safety. There’s no reliable way to measure if you’re too high to drive. With alcohol, there’s a clear standard. With weed, there isn’t.”

Another driver laughed. “Come on, it’s safer than booze.”

“Maybe,” Daniel said, “but nobody can prove it. THC can hang around in your system for days, even weeks. You might feel fine, but your reaction time could still be off. If DOT changes the rules without solid research, they’re gambling with people’s lives.”

As the conversation went on, Daniel realized some drivers saw the policy as strict and unfair—but to him, it was predictable, consistent, and built to keep everyone safe.

Was the DOT being too cautious?