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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have develop into the norm for American customers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing supply chain issues, including a lack of truck drivers to transport 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 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 highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of business licenses. Nevertheless, that gained’t affect one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which might be contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off obligation in a state the place those substances are authorized, they could nonetheless be faced with a violation as a result of Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal degree.

“While states could allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't recognize any official medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the same as the usage of any other illicit drug.”

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

Under regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—previous 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 Provider Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing fee from 25% of the common variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are now new saliva exams being proposed as properly.

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

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to list business drivers who fail a drug test in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to check the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any earlier violations, which would forestall them from being employed.

In recent times, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra extensively available and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In response to the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even when [it] is advisable by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because 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, however nonetheless check positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Addiction Centers says for infrequent marijuana customers—that means those that use the substance lower than two times per week—it could actually show up in their urine for up to three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana several instances a week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more regularly can “take a look at constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply some of the current points affecting the provision chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products within the U.S., based on a report from the White Home, but a growing number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business car drivers must bear as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. In line with the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at present in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed on the current price, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the supply chain, which means larger costs not just for commodities but the price of dwelling at giant.

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