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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have develop into the norm for American customers over the past two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain issues, together with an absence of truck drivers to move 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 because of the getting older inhabitants 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 economic licenses. Nonetheless, that received’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. that are contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which may quickly worsen the already suffering provide chain.

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

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

“Whereas states could allow medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any authentic medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business automobile drivers reads. “Even if a state permits using marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the identical as the use of some other illicit drug.”

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

Below regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested 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 Security Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the typical variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, but there are now new saliva checks being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At greatest, they are briefly taken off the highway and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which might typically take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to record commercial drivers who fail a drug take a look at within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for five years. Potential employers are also required to test the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any earlier violations, which would forestall them from being hired.

In recent times, extra states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more widely out there and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions aside. Based on the FMCSA, “a driver could 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 become legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A business driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, but still take a look at constructive 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 lower than two times per week—it will possibly show up in their urine for up to three days. Somebody who uses marijuana several occasions every week can test constructive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more often can “check optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just some of the current points affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise inside the U.S., according to a report from the White Home, however a rising variety of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that commercial car drivers should undergo as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work at all. In keeping with the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 business drivers are currently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations proceed at the current rate, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the availability chain, which suggests greater prices not just for commodities but the price of residing at large.

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