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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have turn out to be the norm for American shoppers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges inflicting supply chain points, including a scarcity of truck drivers to move items from one place to another. 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 ageing inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the street by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. Nonetheless, that gained’t impact another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which 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 more states legalize recreational marijuana—4 of which did so in the past year and three extra are expected to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have tested optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business 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 year 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. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where those substances are authorized, they could nonetheless be faced with a violation due to the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal degree.

“Whereas states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't acknowledge any professional medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT rules treat its use as the identical as using every other illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s inflicting thousands of truckers to be faraway from their jobs, and the looming domino impact of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Beneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to starting a new job. They may also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the average 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 properly.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug check, that can be grounds for termination beneath DOT regulations. At best, they are quickly taken off the highway and required to finish an evaluation with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation course of, which may generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to list industrial drivers who fail a drug take a look at in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to check the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any previous violations, which might stop them from being employed.

In recent years, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly available and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is really helpful by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s become legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A industrial driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, but still test constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Dependancy Facilities says for infrequent marijuana users—that means those who use the substance less than two instances every week—it will probably show up of their urine for up to three days. Somebody who uses marijuana a number of instances every week can check constructive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana much more regularly can “test constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are just among the current issues affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., in accordance with a report from the White House, however a rising variety of industrial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

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

If violations proceed at the present fee, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the availability chain, which suggests increased prices not just for commodities however the cost of residing at large.

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