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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated costs have develop into the norm for American customers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing provide chain points, including a lack of truck drivers to move goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driver shortage had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of ageing population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. However, that received’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout 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 could soon worsen the already suffering provide chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so previously yr and three more are anticipated to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have tested optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 industrial car drivers have tested constructive for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% enhance 12 months over 12 months.

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

“While states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't recognize any legitimate medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial car drivers reads. “Even when a state permits the usage of marijuana, DOT laws deal with its use as the same as using any other illicit drug.”

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

Under laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to starting a brand 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 additionally upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the typical variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use via urinalysis, but there at the moment are new saliva exams being proposed as nicely.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug test, that can be grounds for termination under DOT regulations. At best, they are temporarily taken off the highway 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 additionally required to listing industrial drivers who fail a drug check within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to verify the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any earlier violations, which would prevent them from being employed.

In recent times, more states have legalized both leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly obtainable and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In response to the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is really helpful by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s turn into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A commercial driver may use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however still take a look at constructive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Habit Facilities says for rare marijuana users—which means those who use the substance lower than two occasions per week—it may show up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana several times a week can check constructive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more regularly can “test positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply a few of the present points affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of products inside the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, however a rising number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that business vehicle drivers should endure as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work in any respect. In line with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are presently in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue at the present price, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the provision chain, which implies increased costs not just for commodities however the cost of residing at large.

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