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

(Stacker) - Delayed packages, bare grocery retailer shelves, and inflated costs have develop into the norm for American customers over the past two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyst, there are different challenges causing provide chain issues, together with an absence of truck drivers to transport items from one place to a different. In late 2021, the American Trucking Associations reported that the driver shortage had risen to an all-time high of 80,000, partly due to the aging inhabitants and shrinking wages.

In response, the Biden administration vowed in December to get extra truck drivers on the highway by boosting recruitment efforts and expediting the issuing of business licenses. Nonetheless, that won’t affect one other hurdle: disparate marijuana laws throughout the U.S. which can be 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 suffering supply chain.

As more states legalize recreational marijuana—four of which did so in the past 12 months and three extra are anticipated to by the tip of 2022—more truck drivers have tested optimistic for the substance. As of April 1, 2022, 10,276 business car 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 year over year.

Truck drivers who journey cross-country face inconsistent state regulations as 19 states have legalized recreational marijuana and 37 states allow it for medicinal functions. However even if a driver used marijuana or hemp-based products like CBD whereas off responsibility in a state where these substances are legal, they might nonetheless be confronted with a violation as a result of Division of Transportation’s (DOT) zero-tolerance policy on the federal stage.

“While states may allow medical use of marijuana, federal laws and policy don't recognize any reputable medical use of marijuana,” a DOT handbook for business vehicle drivers reads. “Even if a state allows using marijuana, DOT regulations deal with its use as the same as using any other illicit drug.”

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

Under laws set forth by the DOT, truck drivers are examined for drug use—together with marijuana—prior to beginning a brand new job. They can be tested at random, as well as after accidents. In January 2020, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration additionally upped the random drug testing rate from 25% of the common number of driver positions to 50%. Truck drivers are primarily screened for drug use through urinalysis, but there are now new saliva checks being proposed as properly.

At worst, if a driver fails only one drug take a look at, that may be grounds for termination under DOT laws. At greatest, they're temporarily taken off the highway and required to complete an evaluation with a substance misuse professional who determines their rehabilitation process, which can generally take months.

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

Lately, more states have legalized each leisure and medical marijuana, making it extra widely accessible and used. Nevertheless, marijuana use continues to be prohibited for business truck drivers, state laws and medical prescriptions aside. Based on the FMCSA, “a driver might not use marijuana even if [it] is recommended by a licensed medical practitioner.” The DOT has maintained its zero-tolerance stance for marijuana use even because it’s become legalized, saying, “Legalization of marijuana use by States and other jurisdictions also has not modified the applying of U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing regulations.”

A industrial driver may use marijuana whereas off-duty, not driving, and in a state where 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 street. The American Dependancy Centers says for rare marijuana customers—which means those who use the substance lower than two instances every week—it will possibly present up of their urine for as much as three days. Someone who makes use of marijuana a number of times per week can take a look at positive for up to three weeks, and those who use marijuana even more incessantly can “check optimistic for a month or longer.”

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

The return-to-duty course of that business automobile drivers must endure as soon as confronted with a marijuana violation can maintain them from returning to work at all. In keeping with the FMCSA’s monthly report, 89,650 commercial drivers are at present in prohibited status as of April 1, 2022, but 67,368 of them have not begun the RTD course of. 

If violations proceed on the current price, the truck driver scarcity will further disrupt the supply chain, which suggests greater costs not only for commodities however the price of residing at massive.

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