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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated prices have turn out to be the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing provide chain issues, including an absence of truck drivers to transport goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly due to the 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 economic licenses. Nevertheless, that gained’t affect one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which might be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might soon worsen the already struggling provide chain.

As extra states legalize recreational 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 optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial automobile drivers have tested positive for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase yr over 12 months.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where these substances are legal, they might still be faced with a violation because of the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal degree.

“Whereas states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't acknowledge any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits the use of marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the same as using some other illicit drug.”

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

Under regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—prior to starting a brand new job. They will also be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Security Administration additionally upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the common variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use via urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva checks being proposed as effectively.

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

As of January 2020, employers are also required to record industrial 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 check the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any previous violations, which might prevent them from being employed.

In recent years, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more widely obtainable and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. Based on 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 develop into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A commercial driver could use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however nonetheless take a look at constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Habit Facilities says for rare marijuana users—that means those that use the substance lower than two instances per week—it might probably show up of their urine for up to three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of instances a week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana much more steadily can “test constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply a number of the current points affecting the availability chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in line with a report from the White House, however a growing number of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that industrial car drivers should undergo once faced with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work in any respect. In keeping with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at the moment in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue on the present rate, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the provision chain, which suggests increased prices not just for commodities but the price of residing at large.

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