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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer shelves, and inflated prices have grow to be the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing 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 driver scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of getting older inhabitants 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. Nevertheless, that gained’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which can 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 suffering provide chain.

As extra states legalize leisure marijuana—4 of which did so previously yr and three more are anticipated to by the top of 2022—more truck drivers have examined positive 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 yr.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off responsibility in a state where those substances are authorized, they may nonetheless be confronted with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal degree.

“While states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage do not recognize any professional medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial vehicle drivers reads. “Even when a state permits using marijuana, DOT rules deal with 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 faraway from their jobs, and the looming domino impact of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Below rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to beginning a brand new job. They will also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, but there at the moment are new saliva assessments being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At best, they're briefly taken off the street and required to finish an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which may generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to list industrial 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 check the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any earlier violations, which would forestall them from being employed.

In recent years, more states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly accessible and used. However, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is really useful 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 other jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A industrial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however still check positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the road. The American Habit Centers says for infrequent marijuana users—which means those who use the substance lower than two occasions a week—it may possibly show up in their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of times a week can check positive for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana much more often can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and items ready to be unloaded at ports are just among the present issues affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., in response to a report from the White Home, but a rising number of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that industrial car drivers must undergo once faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work in any respect. In response to the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at present in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed at the present price, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the provision chain, which means greater prices not only for commodities but the price of living at massive.

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