CUTA wants drug testing now that pot is legal in Canada

Now that recreational use of cannabis is legal in Canada, the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) yesterday called on the Canadian government to establish rules that would permit transit agencies to randomly drug test subway operators and other employees working in safety-sensitive positions.

The random tests would be an "additional tool for transit systems to reinforce safety in public transport and urban mobility across the country," CUTA officials said in a news release.

CUTA and other Canadian organizations are raising awareness of the potential safety risks of cannabis legalization.

 "The government should work with the provinces and territories to facilitate regional solutions to protect public safety," said CUTA President and Chief Executive Officer Marco D'Angelo. "Our members will closely monitor the impacts of cannabis legalization on operations and continue to work with employees to ensure a safe transition to this new regulatory reality."

Some CUTA members already have introduced their own policies for randomly checking or testing for cannabis consumption among all safety-sensitive employees, association officials said.