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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated costs have grow to be the norm for American consumers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing supply chain points, including a scarcity of truck drivers to move items 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 aging 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 business licenses. Nonetheless, that gained’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. that are contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a growing variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which could soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD while off responsibility in a state where those substances are legal, they might still be confronted with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal degree.

“While states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage don't recognize any reliable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial car drivers reads. “Even when a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the identical as the use of any other illicit drug.”

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

Beneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to beginning a new job. They can also be examined at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug check, that may be grounds for termination underneath DOT laws. At greatest, they're quickly taken off the highway and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation course of, which can sometimes take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to checklist business drivers who fail a drug check in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to verify the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any previous violations, which would stop them from being hired.

In recent times, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly out there and used. However, marijuana use is still prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. According to the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s turn out to be legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A commercial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, but nonetheless check positive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the road. The American Habit Centers says for infrequent marijuana customers—which means those who use the substance less than two occasions per week—it will possibly present up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana a number of instances every week can take a look at positive for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more incessantly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a number of the current issues affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise inside the U.S., in line with a report from the White Home, however a growing variety of industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that business car drivers must bear once faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work at all. In line with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at the moment in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue at the current price, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the supply chain, which means higher costs not only for commodities but the cost of living at giant.

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