Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the street this 12 months, including extra provide chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store shelves, and inflated costs have change into the norm for American consumers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting provide chain issues, including an absence of truck drivers to move items from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force shortage had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly as a result of growing older population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. Nevertheless, that gained’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws 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 may soon worsen the already struggling provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD whereas off duty in a state the place these substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be faced with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal stage.

“Whereas states might allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy do not recognize any reliable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business car drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the identical as using another illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s causing hundreds 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—prior to beginning a new job. They may also be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration additionally upped the random drug testing fee from 25% of the typical number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there at the moment are new saliva tests being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug check, that can be grounds for termination underneath DOT rules. At finest, they're quickly taken off the highway and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation course of, which can typically take months.

As of January 2020, employers are also required to checklist commercial drivers who fail a drug take a look at within 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 prevent them from being hired.

Lately, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it more widely accessible and used. Nonetheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In accordance with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s develop into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the appliance of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A industrial driver may use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, but still test positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Habit Facilities says for infrequent marijuana users—that means those who use the substance less than two instances a week—it can present up of their urine for as much as three days. Somebody who uses marijuana several occasions per week can test positive for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more ceaselessly can “test constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a few of the current points affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout 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 business car drivers should endure once faced with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. In response to the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at present in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed at the present charge, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the provision chain, which suggests larger costs not only for commodities but the price of residing at massive.

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