USCG warned mariners, marine employers, and sponsoring organizations that some products marketed as hemp or cannabidiol (CBD) may contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cause a positive drug test.
According to the 46 CFR 16.201(c), an individual who fails a chemical test for dangerous drugs must be removed from duties directly affecting the safe operation of the vessel, and is subject to suspension and revocation proceedings against his or her credential under 46 CFR part 5.
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Use of hemp or CBD products is not accepted as an affirmative defense (acceptable excuse) against a THC-positive drug test result. For these reasons, mariners who want to avoid a positive THC drug test result should exercise extreme caution when considering the use of any hemp or CBD product. Namely, such use could result in the loss of their merchant mariner credential and immediate removal from safety sensitive duties aboard a vessel.
This warning regards hemp and CBD products in any form, including those that are taken by mouth and those that are applied to the skin.
THC is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Hemp and marijuana are different strains of the plant and both contain varying concentrations of THC and CBD. USCG claims that THC is considered a dangerous drug because it produces an intoxicating effect on the user and poses safety-risks to vessel operations. For this reason, it prohibits THC use by mariners because of its known debilitating effects, and all US Coast Guard-required drug tests screen mariners for use of THC.
Recent changes to Federal and State laws have caused an increase in the availability of over-the-counter hemp products and CBD products throughout the US. Hemp products and CBD products are marketed to the general public in several forms such as food and medicinal products, dietary supplements, oils, cosmetics, and hair products. In some cases, product manufacturers market these products as low in THC, or THC-free.
USCG also added that over-the-counter hemp products and CBD products have not been approved as medications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, users lack federal assurances of their ingredients, THC-content, quality, effectiveness, or safe use. As a result, mariners using these products put themselves at risk of having a THC-positive drug test result
It remains unacceptable for any U.S Coast Guard credentialed mariner or other safety-sensitive worker working aboard a vessel that is subject to U.S Coast Guard drug testing regulations to use THC. Claimed use of hemp products or CBD products is not an acceptable defense for a THC-positive drug test result
USCG concluded.
