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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store shelves, and inflated prices have turn into the norm for American shoppers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing supply chain issues, 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 driver scarcity had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly because of the 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 business licenses. Nonetheless, that received’t affect another hurdle: disparate marijuana laws across the U.S. that are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising variety of truckers are being taken off the job, which may soon worsen the already struggling provide chain.

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

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. However even when a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where those substances are authorized, they might still be faced with a violation because of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy at the federal stage.

“Whereas states might allow medical use of marijuana, federal legal guidelines and policy don't recognize any official medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business automobile drivers reads. “Even when a state permits the use of marijuana, DOT laws deal with its use as the identical as the usage of every other illicit drug.”

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

Under regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to beginning a new job. They may also be examined at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Service Security Administration also upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the typical variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use through urinalysis, however there are now new saliva checks being proposed as effectively.

At worst, if a driver fails just one drug check, that can be grounds for termination underneath DOT rules. At best, they're briefly taken off the street and required to complete an analysis 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 listing industrial drivers who fail a drug test within the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. These violations stay searchable for five years. Potential employers are also required to check the Clearinghouse to see if a business driver had any earlier violations, which would prevent them from being employed.

In recent years, more states have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana, making it more widely obtainable and used. However, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for industrial truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions apart. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver could not use marijuana even when [it] is beneficial 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 other jurisdictions additionally has not modified the applying of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing laws.”

A commercial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is legal, but nonetheless take a look at optimistic for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the road. The American Addiction Centers says for rare marijuana users—that means those that use the substance lower than two instances a week—it might probably show up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana several occasions every week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those that use marijuana much more regularly can “test optimistic for a month or longer.”

Shortages, manufacturing unit closures, and items waiting to be unloaded at ports are just a number of the present points affecting the supply chain across America. Trucking transports 72% of merchandise inside the U.S., in keeping with a report from the White Home, however a rising number of business drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that business automobile drivers must undergo as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can hold them from returning to work in any respect. In line with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are currently in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD process. 

If violations continue at the present rate, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the supply chain, which suggests greater prices not just for commodities but the cost of living at large.

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