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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer cabinets, and inflated costs have become the norm for American consumers over the past two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain points, together with a lack of truck drivers to move goods 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 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 road by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of economic licenses. Nonetheless, that won’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which can be contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which could soon worsen the already suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize leisure marijuana—four of which did so in the past yr and three more are anticipated to by the end of 2022—more truck drivers have examined constructive for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business vehicle drivers have examined optimistic for marijuana use. By the same time in 2021, there had been 7,750 violations. That’s a 32.6% improve yr over 12 months.

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 merchandise like CBD while off responsibility in a state where these substances are authorized, they might nonetheless be confronted with a violation because of the Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance coverage on the federal level.

“Whereas states might permit medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't acknowledge any official medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for commercial car drivers reads. “Even when a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the identical as the use of another illicit drug.”

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

Beneath rules set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are tested for drug use—including marijuana—previous to beginning a new job. They can also be examined at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Provider Security Administration additionally upped the random drug testing price from 25% of the typical number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments 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 rules. At finest, they're briefly taken off the street and required to finish an analysis with a substance misuse skilled who determines their rehabilitation process, which can generally take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to checklist business drivers who fail a drug take a look at in the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to check the Clearinghouse to see if a industrial driver had any earlier violations, which might stop them from being hired.

Lately, more states have legalized both leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra extensively out there and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even when [it] is really helpful 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 laws.”

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

Shortages, manufacturing facility closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a few of the current issues affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise within the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, but a growing number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty process that commercial automobile drivers should undergo once faced with a marijuana violation can preserve them from returning to work at all. According to the FMCSA’s month-to-month report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at present in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue at the present fee, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the availability chain, which means higher costs not just for commodities but the price of living at large.

Copyright 2022 Stacker by way of Grey Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.