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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated costs have change into the norm for American shoppers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain points, including an absence of truck drivers to move goods from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive 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 street by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. However, that received’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout 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 might soon worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize leisure marijuana—four of which did so previously year and three extra are expected to by the end of 2022—extra truck drivers have examined constructive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business automobile drivers have examined positive for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase year over 12 months.

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD whereas off duty in a state where those substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be faced with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal level.

“Whereas states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage don't acknowledge any authentic medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state permits the use of marijuana, DOT laws treat its use as the same as the usage of any other illicit drug.”

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

Underneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—previous to beginning a brand new job. They can also be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the common number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use via urinalysis, but there at the moment are new saliva checks being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug test, that may be grounds for termination underneath DOT rules. At finest, they are quickly taken off the road and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which can sometimes take months.

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

In recent times, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more broadly out there and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even if [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 additionally has not modified the application of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A business driver may use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, however still check constructive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Dependancy Centers says for rare marijuana users—meaning those that use the substance lower than two occasions per week—it will probably present up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who uses marijuana a number of times a week can take a look at optimistic for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more ceaselessly can “check constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a number of the current issues affecting the supply chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise within the U.S., in response to a report from the White House, but a growing variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business automobile drivers should bear as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. According to 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 continue on the current charge, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the supply chain, which suggests increased costs not only for commodities however the cost of living at giant.

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