Truck Driver Shortage and Marijuana Testing
The challenging lifestyle and aging workforce have resulted in a national truck driver shortage. However, according to Chris Harvey, a Wells Fargo executive, marijuana testing is also contributing to this labor crisis.
Harvey, who is the head of equity strategy at Wells Fargo, noted that drug screenings combined with the demands of the profession—often requiring drivers to be away from home for extended periods—are driving many truck drivers out of the industry. He warned that this issue will exacerbate rising transportation costs, leading to price increases and shortages for consumers.
“The real concern is drug testing,” Harvey remarked during an industry conference. “Although marijuana is legalized in some states, it isn’t universally accepted. This has led to the exclusion of a significant portion of potential truckers.”
The debate around marijuana testing in employment has intensified in recent years, particularly as the labor shortage grants workers greater leverage. Public acceptance of marijuana has also grown; a Gallup poll from last year indicated that 49% of U.S. adults have used it at least once. Currently, 37 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, while 18 have approved it for recreational purposes.
Despite this shift, drug policies within the trucking industry have tightened. Federal regulations mandate that truck drivers undergo random drug screening quarterly and after certain incidents, such as accidents or traffic violations. Those who test positive are immediately barred from operating commercial motor vehicles, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
A 2020 law further complicated matters by requiring that truck drivers who fail drug tests be listed in a federal database to prevent their hiring by other companies. Previously, drivers could switch employers without disclosing their positive tests, which has now changed.
As a result of the law, nearly 110,000 truckers have been affected, with approximately 56% of these reports involving marijuana use, based on government data from December 2021. The 60,000 drivers who tested positive for marijuana in the last two years could help alleviate the estimated 80,000 driver shortage reported by the American Trucking Association.
Since the database’s initiation, over 6.4 million inquiries have been made, as all employers are required to check it before hiring new drivers. As of December, more than 81,000 drivers were classified as “prohibited” from work, and over 75% of these have not yet started the lengthy reevaluation process necessary to return to their jobs.
If you are involved in the trucking industry and have experienced any impact from drug screening, feel free to contact the reporter at gkay@insider.com using a non-work email.
