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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have change into the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges inflicting supply chain points, 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 scarcity had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly as a result of getting old 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. Nonetheless, that received’t have an effect on another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. that are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might quickly worsen the already struggling provide chain.

As extra states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so prior to now yr and three extra are anticipated to by the tip of 2022—extra truck drivers have examined optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 industrial car drivers have examined constructive for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% increase 12 months 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 functions. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off obligation in a state the place those substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be faced with a violation due to the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage at the federal level.

“Whereas states may permit medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't acknowledge any authentic medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits the usage of marijuana, DOT laws deal with its use as the same as the usage of any other illicit drug.”

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

Under rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to starting a brand new job. They can be tested 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 average number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use via urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination beneath DOT regulations. At finest, they are quickly taken off the road and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which might typically take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to listing commercial drivers who fail a drug take a look at 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 commercial driver had any previous violations, which might stop them from being hired.

In recent years, extra states have legalized each recreational and medical marijuana, making it more widely available and used. However, marijuana use remains to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. According to the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is advisable 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 other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the application of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A industrial driver may use marijuana while off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is legal, however nonetheless take a look at positive for the substance for up to a month later and be taken off the highway. The American Addiction Centers says for rare marijuana customers—meaning those who use the substance less than two occasions every week—it might probably show up of their urine for up to three days. Somebody who uses marijuana several occasions a week can take a look at constructive for as much as three weeks, and those that use marijuana even more regularly can “check constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a number of the present points affecting the provision chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise throughout the U.S., in response to a report from the White House, however a growing number of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that business car drivers should bear as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work in any respect. In accordance with the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 industrial drivers are at the moment in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue on the current price, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the availability chain, which implies higher costs not only for commodities but the price of residing at giant.

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