Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the highway this 12 months, adding more supply chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated prices have develop into the norm for American consumers over the previous 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 transport items from one place to a different. 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. Nonetheless, that received’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. which are contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might soon worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As extra states legalize leisure marijuana—4 of which did so previously year and three more are expected to by the tip of 2022—extra truck drivers have tested positive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial vehicle drivers have tested constructive for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase year over 12 months.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized recreational 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 where these substances are legal, they may nonetheless be faced with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal stage.

“Whereas states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't recognize any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the identical as using some other illicit drug.”

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

Underneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to starting a brand new job. They can also be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Security Administration also upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments being proposed as properly.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug check, that can be grounds for termination under DOT regulations. At finest, they're quickly taken off the highway and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which may generally take months.

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

In recent times, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more broadly out there and used. However, marijuana use is still prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver may 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 change into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions also has not modified the appliance of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A industrial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, however still take a look at positive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the street. The American Dependancy Centers says for rare marijuana users—meaning those that use the substance lower than two times a week—it might show up in their urine for as much as three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana several times a week can test constructive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more incessantly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods ready to be unloaded at ports are simply among the current issues affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in line with a report from the White House, but a growing variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that commercial automobile drivers should bear as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work at all. In accordance with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 industrial drivers are presently in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed at the current price, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the availability chain, which suggests larger prices not just for commodities but the cost of dwelling at large.

Copyright 2022 Stacker by way of Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.