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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have become the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing supply chain issues, together with a scarcity of truck drivers to transport goods from one place to a different. 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 aging 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. Nevertheless, that gained’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. which might be contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which may soon worsen the already struggling supply chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow 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 authorized, they could nonetheless be confronted with a violation due to the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal level.

“Whereas states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any legitimate medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows using marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the same as using some other illicit drug.”

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

Below 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, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration additionally 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 via urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva exams being proposed as nicely.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination beneath DOT regulations. At finest, they are briefly taken off the street and required to finish an evaluation with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which can generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to record business drivers who fail a drug test within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any earlier violations, which might forestall them from being employed.

In recent times, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra extensively available and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver could 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 turn into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A commercial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless take a look at positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Addiction Facilities says for rare marijuana customers—that means those who use the substance lower than two instances per week—it may possibly present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana several instances a week can take a look at optimistic for as much as three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more steadily can “take a look at positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are just some of the present points affecting the supply chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in line with a report from the White House, but a rising variety of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

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

If violations continue at the present charge, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the provision chain, which suggests higher costs not only for commodities however the price of dwelling at massive.

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