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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer cabinets, 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 other challenges inflicting supply chain issues, together with a lack of truck drivers to transport items from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force scarcity had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of getting old population 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 commercial licenses. However, that received’t have an effect on another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines 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 soon worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As extra states legalize leisure marijuana—four of which did so in the past year and three extra are anticipated to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have tested constructive 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 yr over year.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off obligation in a state where these substances are legal, they could nonetheless be faced with a violation due to the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal degree.

“While states might allow medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't acknowledge any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial automobile drivers reads. “Even if a state allows using marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the identical as the use of every other illicit drug.”

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

Beneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to beginning a brand new job. They will also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are now new saliva tests being proposed as properly.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug test, that can be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At finest, they're temporarily taken off the street and required to finish an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which can typically take months.

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

In recent times, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more extensively out there and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even if [it] is beneficial by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s turn into 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 laws.”

A commercial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless test optimistic for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Habit Facilities says for infrequent marijuana customers—meaning those that use the substance lower than two occasions every week—it can present up of their urine for up to three days. Someone who uses marijuana several times per week can test optimistic for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana much more steadily can “take a look at optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and items ready to be unloaded at ports are simply some of the current points affecting the provision chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., according to a report from the White House, however a rising variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that business automobile drivers must undergo as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work at all. In line with the FMCSA’s month-to-month 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 course of. 

If violations proceed on the current rate, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the supply chain, which means larger costs not only for commodities however the cost of residing at giant.

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