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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have develop into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing supply chain issues, including an absence of truck drivers to transport 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 excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of growing 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 business licenses. Nevertheless, that gained’t impact another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across 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 could soon worsen the already struggling supply chain.

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

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off obligation in a state the place these substances are authorized, they may nonetheless be faced with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal degree.

“Whereas states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any legitimate medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits using marijuana, DOT rules treat its use as the same as the use of some 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 provide chain disruptions.

Underneath laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to beginning a new job. They can be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the typical number 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 well.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug check, that can be grounds for termination beneath DOT laws. At finest, they are quickly taken off the highway and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which can typically take months.

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

In recent years, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly out there and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. In accordance 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 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. Department of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A industrial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however still test optimistic for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Dependancy Centers says for rare marijuana users—that means those who use the substance less than two instances every week—it will probably present up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who uses marijuana several occasions every week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more continuously can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just among the present points affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White House, however a growing number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that commercial car drivers should undergo as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can preserve them from returning to work at all. According to the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are currently in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue at the current charge, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the supply chain, which implies higher costs not just for commodities but the price of dwelling at giant.

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