Legal cannabis in travel hubs forces airlines to tighten crew drug testing

The recent legalization of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes in countries such as Thailand and Amsterdam is creating fresh challenges for airlines, which find it more difficult to detect psychoactive drug use than alcohol. Because these substances can stay in the body for extended periods, officials say that expanding random testing is essential. The International Civil Aviation Organisation warns that flying while under the influence could impair licensed personnel.

A high-profile case involved an off-duty pilot on a US carrier who, after ingesting psychedelic mushrooms two days earlier and sleeping only briefly, attempted to shut down the aircraft's engines from a jump seat. DGCA guidelines mandate that any positive confirmatory test be reviewed by a medical review officer to rule out legitimate medication, and require annual testing of at least 10% of pilots and air traffic controllers.

Airlines in India and abroad are promoting anonymous reporting and de-addiction initiatives, yet many staff members avoid disclosure, leaving the problem largely unresolved. Authorities stress that stricter penalties and more frequent random tests are the only viable path forward.