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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have turn out to be the norm for American customers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain points, including a lack of truck drivers to transport items from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of getting older inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the street by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of business licenses. Nonetheless, that won’t have an effect on another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which can be contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which might soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal functions. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off obligation in a state where these substances are legal, they could still be faced with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal degree.

“While states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't recognize any respectable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business car drivers reads. “Even when a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the same as using any other illicit drug.”

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

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

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination beneath DOT rules. At finest, they are quickly taken off the road and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which might generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to listing commercial drivers who fail a drug take a look at within 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 industrial driver had any earlier violations, which would prevent them from being hired.

Lately, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more widely accessible and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In accordance 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 change into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions additionally has not modified the application of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A business driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however still check constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Habit Facilities says for rare marijuana customers—meaning those who use the substance lower than two instances a week—it may possibly show up of their urine for up to three days. Somebody who uses marijuana a number of times a week can check constructive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more often can “check optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a few of the current issues affecting the provision 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 industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business car drivers should bear once faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work in any respect. Based on the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at present in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue on the present price, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the supply chain, which suggests higher costs not only for commodities however the price of dwelling at large.

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