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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have develop into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing provide chain points, together with a scarcity of truck drivers to move 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 because of the aging inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. However, that gained’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. which can be contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which could soon worsen the already struggling provide chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—4 of which did so up to now 12 months and three more are expected to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have examined optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 industrial vehicle drivers have tested optimistic for marijuana use. By the identical time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase yr over 12 months.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal purposes. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD while off responsibility in a state where these substances are authorized, they might still be confronted with a violation because of the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal degree.

“While states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't acknowledge any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the identical as using every other illicit drug.”

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

Beneath laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—prior to beginning a new job. They can be examined at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing charge from 25% of the average variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, but there are actually new saliva checks being proposed as well.

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

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

Lately, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly obtainable and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use is still prohibited for business truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. 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 become 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 commercial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however nonetheless test constructive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the street. The American Addiction Centers says for infrequent marijuana customers—which means those that use the substance less than two instances a week—it could possibly show up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of occasions per week can check positive for as much as three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more regularly can “test constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a few of the current points affecting the availability chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, however a rising variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial vehicle drivers should endure once confronted with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. In line with the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 commercial drivers are presently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue at the current fee, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the supply chain, which implies increased prices not just for commodities however the price of residing at giant.

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