Marijuana violations have taken over 10,000 truck drivers off the road this year, including extra provide chain disruptions

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have grow to be 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, together with an absence of truck drivers to transport goods from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driver shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of growing older 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 commercial licenses. Nonetheless, that gained’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which can be contributing to a rise 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 more states legalize recreational marijuana—4 of which did so in the past 12 months and three more are expected to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have tested optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 commercial automobile drivers have tested optimistic 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 travel cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal functions. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off obligation in a state the place these substances are legal, they may still be faced with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal stage.

“While states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't recognize any respectable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial car drivers reads. “Even if a state permits the use of marijuana, DOT rules deal with its use as the identical as using every other illicit drug.”

Stacker looked at what’s causing 1000's of truckers to be faraway from their jobs, and the looming domino impact of the continued supply chain disruptions.

Beneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—previous to starting a new job. They will 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 rate from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva assessments being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug check, that may be grounds for termination under DOT laws. At best, they're quickly taken off the road and required to complete an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation course of, which may generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to list business drivers who fail a drug check in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are additionally required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any earlier violations, which might prevent them from being employed.

Lately, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it extra extensively obtainable and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In line with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is beneficial by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even as it’s turn out to be legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A industrial driver might use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however nonetheless check constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Habit Facilities says for infrequent marijuana users—which means those who use the substance less than two times a week—it could actually present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of occasions per week can test positive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more incessantly can “check optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a number of the current points affecting the availability chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise inside the U.S., in accordance with a report from the White Home, but a rising variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial car drivers should undergo once faced with a marijuana violation can keep them from returning to work at all. In accordance with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at the moment in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue on the present rate, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the provision chain, which implies greater costs not only for commodities but the price of living at massive.

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