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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have grow 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 issues, together with an absence of truck drivers to move goods from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driver scarcity had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly due to the getting older inhabitants 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 commercial licenses. Nevertheless, that won’t impact another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. which are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could quickly worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—4 of which did so previously yr and three more are expected to by the end of 2022—more truck drivers have examined positive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial vehicle drivers have tested positive for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% improve year over 12 months.

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD while off obligation in a state the place those substances are legal, they might still be confronted with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal degree.

“Whereas states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't recognize any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial automobile drivers reads. “Even if a state permits the usage of marijuana, DOT laws deal with its use as the same as using any other illicit drug.”

Stacker checked out 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 examined for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to beginning a brand new job. They can be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration additionally upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the typical 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 properly.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination underneath DOT rules. At finest, they are quickly taken off the road and required to finish an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which may sometimes take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to checklist commercial drivers who fail a drug test in 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 business driver had any earlier violations, which might prevent them from being employed.

In recent years, more states have legalized both leisure and medical marijuana, making it more extensively out there and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver might 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 as it’s change into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A commercial driver may use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless take a look at constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Habit Facilities says for rare marijuana customers—that means those who use the substance less than two occasions a week—it may present up in their urine for up to three days. Somebody who uses marijuana a number of instances every week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more incessantly can “test positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply some of the current issues affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of products inside 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 industrial car drivers should bear as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work at all. Based on the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 business drivers are at present in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed at the present rate, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the supply chain, which implies larger prices not just for commodities but the price of residing at giant.

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