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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery store shelves, and inflated prices have turn into the norm for American shoppers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing provide chain issues, including an absence of truck drivers to move goods from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of getting older 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 economic licenses. However, that won’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which are contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which may soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. But even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off obligation in a state where these substances are legal, they may nonetheless be faced with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal degree.

“While states might permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't acknowledge any legitimate medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial vehicle drivers reads. “Even when a state allows the usage of marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the identical as using any other illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s inflicting 1000's of truckers to be faraway from their jobs, and the looming domino effect of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Under laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—prior to beginning a new job. They can be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there at the moment are new saliva assessments being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug test, that can be grounds for termination underneath DOT laws. At best, they are temporarily taken off the highway and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which may generally take months.

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

In recent years, more states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly available and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even when [it] is beneficial by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s become legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions additionally has not modified the appliance of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A business driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless check constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Addiction Facilities says for infrequent marijuana customers—which means those that use the substance lower than two occasions a week—it might probably present up of their urine for up to three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of instances every week can take a look at optimistic for up to three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more regularly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply some of the current points affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., according to a report from the White Home, but a rising number of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial automobile drivers must endure once faced with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work at all. In accordance with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are at the moment in prohibited standing 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 higher costs not just for commodities however the price of living at large.

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