With the landscape of marijuana laws rapidly changing across America, a new study is set to examine how legal cannabis has influenced the trucking industry workforce. Launched this week by American Transportation Research Institute, the survey seeks input from experts in driver recruitment and retention as well as drug testing practices – raising questions about whether legalized marijuana might impact future hiring trends for commercial driving jobs.
The survey asks carriers a number of questions on related topics:
• Hiring policies regarding drivers with past positive marijuana tests
• Company drug testing practices
• Current trends in the labor pool
• Approaches to addressing legal marijuana
ATRI reported that its Research Advisory Committee identified research about the effects of legalized marijuana as a top priority for 2022. This comes on the heels of ATRI’s 2019 study looking at how weed legalization affects roadway safety and will further deepen their understanding in this area.
“While increased access to marijuana has not directly impacted the trucking industry in terms of truck drivers testing positive for marijuana, the increased frequency of marijuana-positive drivers operating on the same roadways as trucks makes marijuana-impaired driving a critical safety issue for the trucking industry,” the 2019 study concluded.
Cannabis use among truck drivers has increased sharply in the past year, with data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse revealing that over 41,000 drivers tested positive for marijuana this year—a dramatic 32% jump from 2021.
With FMCSA unable to report how many drivers they test, it remains a mystery as to what has led to the startling surge in positive drug tests. However, ATRI is undeterred by this and believes that giving carriers info on legalized marijuana will help them tackle any challenges associated with its use among commercial vehicle operators.
“This timely research will provide insight into the specific challenges motor carriers face as the use of recreational marijuana grows in the U.S.,” ATRI said in a statement. “The findings should also provide insight into approaches the industry can take to address these challenges.”
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is conducting a survey to help gain better insight into the operations and safety of truck drivers. The online questionnaire will be available until March 17, while an additional survey tailored specifically for drivers will kick off in just two weeks. An analysis on both polls is expected by mid-year, which should provide new information about the industry’s trends and challenges.
While the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, there is an undeniable shift in attitude nationwide – 38 states now offer some form of legalized medical cannabis access and 21 have even opened their borders to recreational use. Furthermore, seven others permit cannabidiol (CBD) products containing negligible amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), meaning that its psychoactive effects remain low or completely absent.
Despite the evolving legal status of marijuana at the state level, commercial drivers are still prohibited from using the substance. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation outlined its stance on marijuana use among truckers.
“We want to make it perfectly clear that the state initiatives will have no bearing on the Department of Transportation’s regulated drug testing program,” the agency said. “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.”
FMCSA’s chief medical officer, Joe Sentef said that any potential policy changes to the current regulations in place would take some time.
“As of right now, I don’t think we’ve had anything in the works other than informal talks between the White House and HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services),” he said during a meeting of FMCSA’s Medical Review Board in October. “So, I would say, if it happens, it’s going to take a while. It’s going to take at least a few years before that happens.”
Despite a straightforward stance on marijuana use from the U.S. Department of Transportation, uncertainty remains among commercial drivers trying to figure out if they are able to partake or not.
FaLisa McCannon supervisor at OOIDA’s Consortium Management Co., Inc.(CMCI) offers some clarity as she explains that there has been an easy-to-understand answer set in place when it comes cannabis consumption and mandatory drug & alcohol testing regulations.
“If you hold a CDL and you’re driving a DOT truck anywhere in the United States, it’s still not acceptable to partake in marijuana, regardless of what your state has in place,” said McCannon.
Source: Land Line
