The U.S. Coast Guard is providing this notice to ensure that mariners, marine employers, Medical

Reviewing Officers and the public are knowledgeable of the continuing prohibition of marijuana use by

those serving in safety-sensitive positions in the maritime transportation industry.

It is important to note that marijuana remains a drug listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

It remains unacceptable for any safety-sensitive employee serving in the maritime industry and subject to

drug testing under the Department of Transportation’s drug testing regulations to use marijuana. The

Department of Transportation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40 – does not

authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

As such, Medical Review Officers will not verify a drug test as negative based upon learning that the

employee used "recreational marijuana" or "medicinal marijuana". Furthermore, mariners/employees

that hold a Merchant Mariner Credential and fail a drug test due to recreational or medicinal

marijuana usage, will be subject to administrative action against their credential in accordance with

federal regulations.

The Coast Guard’s regulation regarding recreational or medicinal drug usage is firmly aligned with the

Department of Transportation’s regulation on the use of Schedule I drugs. For more information

regarding DOT’s notices for "recreational marijuana" or "medicinal marijuana" please click here.

The intent of the U.S. Coast Guard is to assure the maritime community and the traveling public that our

transportation system is the safest it can possibly be. This Marine Safety Information Bulletin is published

to provide the highest visibility and notice of our effort in support of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention

Program.

For more information, please contact Mr. Patrick Mannion, Drug and Alcohol Program Manager,

Commandant (CG-INV), U.S. Coast Guard, at (202) 372-1033.