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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, naked grocery store cabinets, 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 other challenges causing provide chain points, together with an absence of truck drivers to move items from one place to another. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driving force scarcity had risen to an all-time excessive of 80,000, partly because of the ageing population and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get more truck drivers on the highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of commercial licenses. However, that received’t impact one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which might be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could quickly worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize leisure marijuana—4 of which did so previously year and three extra are expected to by the end of 2022—more truck drivers have examined optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business automobile drivers have examined optimistic for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% enhance 12 months over year.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off duty in a state the place these substances are legal, they might nonetheless be confronted with a violation as a result of Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal stage.

“Whereas states may enable medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and coverage do not recognize any legit medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits using marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the same as the use of another illicit drug.”

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

Underneath laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—prior to beginning a brand new job. They can be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration also upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva exams being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug test, that may be grounds for termination below DOT rules. At best, they're briefly taken off the highway 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 also required to record commercial drivers who fail a drug test in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for five years. Potential employers are also required to examine the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any previous violations, which might forestall them from being employed.

In recent years, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly out there and used. However, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In keeping 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 develop into legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and different jurisdictions also has not modified the applying of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A industrial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, however nonetheless check positive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the street. The American Habit Facilities says for rare marijuana customers—that means those who use the substance less than two instances every week—it may show up of their urine for up to three days. Somebody who makes use of marijuana a number of instances per week can check constructive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more ceaselessly can “check positive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and items ready to be unloaded at ports are just some of the present issues affecting the supply chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White House, however a growing variety of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial automobile drivers should bear as soon as faced 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 haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue on the present fee, the truck driver shortage will further disrupt the supply chain, which implies larger costs not only for commodities but the cost of dwelling at giant.

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