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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store shelves, and inflated costs have turn into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain issues, including an absence of truck drivers to move items from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the motive force shortage had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly due to the ageing inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the street by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. Nevertheless, that gained’t impact another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. that are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could soon worsen the already struggling supply chain.

As extra states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so prior to now year and three extra are expected to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have examined positive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial vehicle drivers have examined positive for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% improve 12 months over year.

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. But even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off obligation in a state where these substances are authorized, they may nonetheless be faced with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal stage.

“While states might permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any reputable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the same as the usage of another illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s inflicting hundreds of truckers to be removed from their jobs, and the looming domino impact of the continued provide chain disruptions.

Beneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to starting a brand new job. They may also be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration also upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the common variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, but there are now new saliva tests being proposed as nicely.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug check, that can be grounds for termination below DOT laws. At finest, they are quickly taken off the street and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which may generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to list industrial drivers who fail a drug take a look at in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for five years. Potential employers are additionally required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any earlier violations, which would forestall them from being hired.

In recent times, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly out there and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver could not use marijuana even if [it] is beneficial by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s change into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing rules.”

A commercial driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless take a look at optimistic for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Dependancy Facilities says for infrequent marijuana users—that means those that use the substance lower than two instances per week—it could actually present up in their urine for up to three days. Someone who uses marijuana several times every week can test positive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more regularly can “take a look at constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply among the present issues affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise within the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, but a rising variety of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial vehicle drivers should undergo as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work in any respect. In accordance with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are currently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, however 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed on the present charge, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the supply chain, which implies higher costs not only for commodities but the cost of living at large.

Copyright 2022 Stacker through Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.