Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the highway this year, adding extra provide chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have change into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain points, together with a lack of truck drivers to move items from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driver shortage had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly due to the ageing inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. Nonetheless, that won’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. that are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which may quickly worsen the already struggling supply chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—4 of which did so up to now 12 months and three extra are anticipated to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have examined positive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial car drivers have examined positive for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% improve year over 12 months.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. But even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD while off duty in a state where these substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be confronted with a violation because of the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal level.

“Whereas states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage do not acknowledge any reliable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the same as the use of some other illicit drug.”

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

Underneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—previous to starting a new job. They may also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Security Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the typical number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use via urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva checks being proposed as properly.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug test, that may be grounds for termination below DOT laws. At finest, they are briefly taken off the street and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which might typically take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to list commercial drivers who fail a drug take a look at within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any previous violations, which would prevent them from being employed.

Lately, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly accessible and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver could not use marijuana even if [it] is really helpful by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s become legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A business driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, but nonetheless take a look at positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Addiction Centers says for infrequent marijuana customers—which means those that use the substance less than two occasions every week—it might present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of times a week can check positive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more ceaselessly can “check optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and items ready to be unloaded at ports are just among the present points affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of products inside the U.S., in accordance with a report from the White Home, however a rising variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that business vehicle drivers should endure as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work in any respect. In line with the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at the moment in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed at the present rate, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the availability chain, which means increased costs not just for commodities but the cost of dwelling at giant.

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