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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have change into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting 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 motive force shortage had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly due to the ageing population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get more truck drivers on the street by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of business licenses. However, that gained’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which can be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which may quickly worsen the already struggling provide chain.

As extra states legalize leisure marijuana—4 of which did so in the past year and three more are anticipated to by the end of 2022—extra truck drivers have tested optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business 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% increase year 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. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where these substances are legal, they could still be confronted with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal level.

“While states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage do not recognize any reliable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows the usage of marijuana, DOT laws deal with its use as the same as using another illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s causing thousands of truckers to be removed from their jobs, and the looming domino effect of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Underneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—previous to starting a new job. They may also be examined at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing fee from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use via urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that may be grounds for termination below DOT laws. At greatest, they're quickly taken off the street and required to finish an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which can generally take months.

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

Lately, extra states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more widely accessible and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even if [it] is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s grow to be legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A commercial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, but nonetheless take a look at constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Habit Centers says for infrequent marijuana customers—that means those who use the substance less than two occasions per week—it could show up of their urine for up to three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana several instances per week can test constructive for as much as three weeks, and those who use marijuana much more ceaselessly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just among the current issues affecting the availability chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products within the U.S., in line with a report from the White Home, but a rising variety of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

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

If violations continue on the present charge, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the availability chain, which suggests larger costs not just for commodities but the price of dwelling at massive.

Copyright 2022 Stacker via Grey Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.