Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the street this yr, adding more provide chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have change into the norm for American customers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain points, together with a scarcity of truck drivers to move items from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly because of the growing old population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get more truck drivers on the highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. However, that received’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which could quickly worsen the already struggling provide chain.

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

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

“Whereas states could permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't recognize any respectable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial car drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the same as using every other illicit drug.”

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

Beneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—prior to starting a brand new job. They can be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva checks being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug test, that may be grounds for termination beneath DOT rules. At finest, they are quickly taken off the road and required to finish 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 checklist industrial drivers who fail a drug check within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are additionally required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any previous violations, which would forestall them from being employed.

Lately, more states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more widely obtainable and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In response to the FMCSA, “a driver could not use marijuana even if [it] is beneficial by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s develop into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the appliance of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A business driver could use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, however still check constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Addiction Centers says for infrequent marijuana users—meaning those who use the substance less than two instances a week—it can present up of their urine for up to three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana several times a week can take a look at constructive for as much as three weeks, and those who use marijuana much more ceaselessly can “test constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a number of the current issues affecting the availability chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise within the U.S., based on a report from the White Home, but a rising variety of industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business car drivers must endure as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work in any respect. According to the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at the moment in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed on the current charge, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the availability chain, which suggests higher costs not just for commodities however the cost of living at giant.

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