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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have turn into the norm for American customers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing provide chain issues, including a scarcity of truck drivers to transport goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force scarcity had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of getting older population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get more truck drivers on the road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. However, that won’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across 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 soon worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so prior to now yr and three extra are expected to by the end of 2022—more truck drivers have examined constructive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial automobile 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 yr over 12 months.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules 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 products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where those substances are authorized, they may still be confronted with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal level.

“While states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage don't recognize any reputable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the same as the usage of some other illicit drug.”

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

Below regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to starting a brand new job. They may also be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing fee from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are now 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 under DOT rules. At finest, they're 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 also required to record industrial drivers who fail a drug test in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to verify the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any previous violations, which would stop them from being employed.

In recent times, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly obtainable and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. Based on the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even if [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 out to be legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the applying of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A business driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however still take a look at optimistic for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Addiction Facilities says for infrequent marijuana users—which means those that use the substance less than two instances every week—it can show up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana a number of occasions a week can check constructive for as much as three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more often can “take a look at optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a few of the present points affecting the availability chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products within the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, however a rising number of industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business vehicle drivers must undergo as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work at all. Based on the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are presently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed on the present charge, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the provision chain, which implies larger prices not just for commodities but the price of dwelling at massive.

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