Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the road this 12 months, including extra provide chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have turn out to be the norm for American shoppers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing provide chain issues, together with a lack of truck drivers to transport goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of getting old inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. Nevertheless, that received’t have an effect on another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. which can be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which may soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

As extra states legalize leisure marijuana—four of which did so up to now yr and three extra are anticipated to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have examined constructive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial car drivers have examined optimistic for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% improve yr over 12 months.

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. But even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD while off responsibility in a state the place those substances are authorized, they could still be faced with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal stage.

“While states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any respectable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits using marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the identical as using every other illicit drug.”

Stacker checked out what’s inflicting 1000's of truckers to be faraway from their jobs, and the looming domino impact of the continued supply chain disruptions.

Underneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—prior to starting a brand new job. They will also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the typical variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva tests being proposed as nicely.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that may be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At best, they are briefly taken off the highway and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which may generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to checklist industrial drivers who fail a drug take a look at within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for five years. Potential employers are also required to test the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any previous violations, which might prevent them from being hired.

Lately, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly accessible and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even when [it] is really useful by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s develop into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the appliance of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A industrial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, but still check optimistic for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the road. The American Dependancy Centers says for infrequent marijuana users—which means those who use the substance less than two occasions a week—it may possibly present up of their urine for up to three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana several instances a week can check constructive for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more continuously can “take a look at positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are just some of the present issues affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., in line with a report from the White Home, however a growing number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business vehicle drivers should endure once confronted with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. Based on the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at present in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed on the current rate, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the provision chain, which means larger prices not only for commodities however the price of dwelling at large.

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