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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery store cabinets, and inflated prices have become the norm for American consumers over the previous two years. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are other challenges causing provide chain issues, 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 aging 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 economic licenses. Nevertheless, that won’t have an effect on another hurdle: disparate marijuana legal guidelines across the U.S. which are contributing to an increase in violations. In 2022, a rising number of truckers are being taken off the job, which might quickly worsen the already struggling supply chain.

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

Truck drivers who travel cross-country face inconsistent state rules as 19 states have legalized leisure marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal purposes. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based merchandise like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state the place these substances are legal, they could nonetheless be confronted with a violation as a result of Department of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal level.

“While states may enable medical use of marijuana, federal laws and coverage do not acknowledge any official medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even when a state permits the usage of marijuana, DOT regulations treat its use as the identical as the use of every other illicit drug.”

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

Beneath regulations set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—previous to starting a brand new job. They can also 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 variety of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are mainly screened for drug use by way of urinalysis, however there are actually new saliva tests being proposed as properly.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug take a look at, that can be grounds for termination below DOT regulations. At best, they're temporarily taken off the road and required to finish an analysis with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which can sometimes take months.

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

In recent years, extra states have legalized both leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra broadly available and used. However, marijuana use is still prohibited for commercial truck drivers, state legal guidelines and medical prescriptions apart. In keeping with the FMCSA, “a driver may not use marijuana even if [it] is really useful 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 additionally has not modified the application of U.S. Division of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A commercial driver could use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state the place marijuana is authorized, but still check positive for the substance for as much as a month later and be taken off the road. The American Dependancy Facilities says for infrequent marijuana customers—meaning those that use the substance less than two occasions a week—it can present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who uses marijuana a number of times every week can test positive for as much as three weeks, and people who use marijuana even more incessantly can “check constructive for a month or longer.”

Shortages, factory closures, and goods waiting to be unloaded at ports are simply a few of the current points affecting the provision chain throughout America. Trucking transports 72% of products throughout the U.S., in line with a report from the White Home, however a rising number of commercial drivers are sidelined for marijuana use.

The return-to-duty course of that industrial vehicle drivers should endure as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can preserve them from returning to work in any respect. In response to the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 business drivers are at present in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them haven't begun the RTD course of. 

If violations continue on the present fee, the truck driver scarcity will additional disrupt the availability chain, which implies increased prices not only for commodities but the cost of living at giant.

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