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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery store cabinets, and inflated costs have become the norm for American customers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting provide chain points, together with a scarcity of truck drivers to move items from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly because of the growing old 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 commercial licenses. Nevertheless, that received’t impact another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. which can be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could quickly worsen the already struggling supply chain.

As more states legalize leisure marijuana—four of which did so previously 12 months and three extra are expected to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have examined optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial automobile drivers have tested constructive for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase year over year.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state the place these substances are legal, they could nonetheless be faced with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal level.

“Whereas states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't acknowledge any professional medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the identical as the use of another illicit drug.”

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

Underneath laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—previous to beginning a new job. They can also be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Security Administration also upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are now new saliva exams being proposed as nicely.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug take a look at, that may be grounds for termination below DOT regulations. At finest, they're briefly taken off the road and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which might typically take months.

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

Lately, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more extensively out there and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver could 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 change into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the appliance of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A commercial driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, however nonetheless take a look at positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Habit Facilities says for infrequent marijuana customers—which means those who use the substance less than two occasions every week—it will probably show up in their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who uses marijuana several occasions per week can check optimistic for up to three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more incessantly can “test positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and items ready to be unloaded at ports are just a few of the current points affecting the supply chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products within the U.S., in response to a report from the White House, however a rising number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial vehicle drivers must undergo once faced with a marijuana violation can preserve them from returning to work at all. In response to the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at present in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed on the present charge, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the supply chain, which implies higher prices not only for commodities but the cost of dwelling at large.

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