Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the highway this yr, including more supply chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer shelves, and inflated prices have develop into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting provide chain points, including a scarcity of truck drivers to move goods from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of ageing inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get more truck drivers on the road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. Nonetheless, that received’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. which are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

As extra states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so prior to now year and three extra are anticipated to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have examined constructive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 industrial 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% increase 12 months over year.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal functions. But even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state the place those substances are authorized, they could still be faced with a violation because of the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal degree.

“Whereas states might permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't recognize any respectable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the identical as the use of some other illicit drug.”

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

Below laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to starting a new job. They may also be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the common number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use via urinalysis, but there are actually new saliva assessments being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug check, that can be grounds for termination under DOT laws. At best, they're quickly taken off the street and required to finish an evaluation with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which might sometimes take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to checklist commercial drivers who fail a drug check within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for five years. Potential employers are additionally required to verify the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any previous violations, which would forestall them from being hired.

Lately, more states have legalized both leisure and medical marijuana, making it more extensively accessible and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. According to the FMCSA, “a driver could not use marijuana even if [it] is advisable by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s grow to be legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A commercial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, however still take a look at optimistic for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Habit Centers says for rare marijuana users—which means those who use the substance less than two times every week—it will probably present up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana several instances per week can take a look at constructive for as much as three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more regularly can “test positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a number of the present issues affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of products inside the U.S., in line with a report from the White House, but a rising variety of industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that commercial automobile drivers must bear once faced with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work at all. According to the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are currently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue at the current rate, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the provision chain, which means larger costs not just for commodities but the cost of dwelling at massive.

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