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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have turn into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges inflicting provide chain points, including a scarcity of truck drivers to move goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of 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 economic licenses. Nonetheless, that gained’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. that are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might quickly worsen the already suffering provide chain.

As extra states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so previously yr and three more are anticipated to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have examined optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial car drivers have tested constructive for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase yr over yr.

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal functions. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off duty in a state the place those substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be confronted with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal stage.

“While states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy do not recognize any official medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even when a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the identical 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 impact of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Underneath laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—prior to beginning a brand new job. They can also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the typical 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 take a look at, that may be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At best, they're quickly taken off the street and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which might generally take months.

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

In recent times, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra widely available and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. Based on the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s turn out to be 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 laws.”

A commercial driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless test positive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Habit Facilities says for infrequent marijuana customers—meaning those who use the substance lower than two occasions per week—it could present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana several occasions per week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and people who use marijuana much more ceaselessly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply among the present issues affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise within the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, however a growing variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that commercial vehicle drivers should bear once faced with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. In accordance with 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 course of. 

If violations proceed at the present fee, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the provision chain, which implies larger costs not only for commodities but the cost of dwelling at giant.

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