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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store shelves, and inflated prices have grow to be the norm for American customers over the past two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges inflicting supply chain issues, together with a lack of truck drivers to transport 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 getting 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 economic licenses. Nonetheless, that received’t have an effect on one other hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines throughout the U.S. which might be contributing to a rise in violations. In 2022, a growing number of truckers are being taken off the job, which could quickly worsen the already struggling provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state laws as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states permit it for medicinal functions. But even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD while off duty in a state where those substances are legal, they could still be confronted with a violation due to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal stage.

“While states could enable medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage don't recognize any authentic medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for industrial car drivers reads. “Even if a state allows the use of marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the same as the use of every other illicit drug.”

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

Under regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—including marijuana—prior to starting a new job. They can be tested at random, in addition to after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Safety Administration additionally 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 via urinalysis, however there are now new saliva assessments being proposed as well.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug test, that may be grounds for termination beneath DOT rules. At greatest, they are temporarily taken off the street and required to finish an analysis with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation course of, which can typically take months.

As of January 2020, employers are additionally required to list industrial drivers who fail a drug check within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations remain searchable for 5 years. Potential employers are also required to test the Clearinghouse to see if a commercial driver had any previous violations, which would prevent them from being employed.

Lately, extra states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more broadly obtainable and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even if [it] is really helpful 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 additionally has not modified the appliance of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A industrial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where marijuana is authorized, however still test constructive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the street. The American Dependancy Facilities says for rare marijuana customers—meaning those that use the substance lower than two instances every week—it will possibly present up in their urine for up to three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana a number of instances every week can take a look at optimistic for up to three weeks, and people who use marijuana much more continuously can “take a look at constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are just some of the present points affecting the provision chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise inside the U.S., in keeping 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 commercial vehicle drivers should undergo as soon as faced with a marijuana violation can preserve them from returning to work in any respect. In accordance with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are currently in prohibited standing as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue at the present price, the truck driver shortage will additional disrupt the availability chain, which suggests increased prices not just for commodities but the price of dwelling at massive.

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