Marijuana legalization,will it affect a+d testing?

[wildbill]

Had a very heated discussion about this today, alot of different angles, anyone on the safety end of things in some of these bigger companies have any insight on the insuing storm that's coming with legalization of mj, will it still be urine testing, swabs? I know my company says our policy will not change but, it seems like there may be alot more at play than meets the eye.

[angery jonn]

They will probably have to switch to swab testing, but they policies will remain in place. Alcohol is legal, yet you still can't be drunk at work. Same rules will apply with getting high.

[agentsmith]

^ What he said. Impaired is impaired, legality isn't the point. And it's not like weed is the only drug to look for, think about how many people might be secretly loaded up on painkillers.

[The Elkster]

I think the key here is what level of MJ/THC in the blood is deemed acceptable. You can show trace amount for a month or more after use even when a person is totally sober. Not like alcohol where any trace is gone in days.

I suspect it'll come down to some firings and legal challenges to set up some precedence on OHS stance. . Gov't is going to determine acceptable limits for driving and I doubt it'll be zero. It'll be interesting if a company is allowed to have a zero tolerance policy even if the gov't doesn't set a zero limit for things like driving. If weed is legal I suspect there will be some protections.

But trace level could still get you blackballed from a company. I expect anyone that shows at any level of THC is going to be under the microscope and likely be held responsible for any and all incidents they can even remotely tie to the user. I'm sure when weed is legalized numbers of incidents tied to weed will spike and we'll hear lots of stories of how its causing the decline of civilization as we know it.

[silver]

I think that is all going to be tied back to the employer. have had a discussion or two with some one with a medical prescription for it. He said that if there was an incident and if you test over a certain level, you are in trouble.
In the past I have had a prescription for opoids. for a pre job screening some need a 100% clean, some want you to bring in your prescription.

[I_forget]

Nothing is going to change

[wildbill]

The only thing I think they are going to have problem with is proving someone is actually high, just because its in your system doesn't mean your high, or under the influence. There needs to be a better test that actually determines if some is indeed under the influence. I think the unions are going to have a hay day with this. People don't like being told they can't do something that's perfectly legal in their own spare time. If you're high at work then yes you should held accountable. It would be like someone saying you can't hunt because its against company policy. I think to say you can't use it on your own time is unconstitutional, but, that is just my opinion.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by wildbill

The only thing I think they are going to have problem with is proving someone is actually high, just because its in your system doesn't mean your high, or under the influence. There needs to be a better test that actually determines if some is indeed under the influence. I think the unions are going to have a hay day with this. People don't like being told they can't do something that's perfectly legal in their own spare time. If you're high at work then yes you should held accountable. It would be like someone saying you can't hunt because its against company policy. I think to say you can't use it on your own time is unconstitutional, but, that is just my opinion.

It is a little more complicated than many people think.
Tests and conditions for pre - employment, just cause or post incident are not all the same
This is the Canadian Model that is being followed at the moment, and I for one do not see Industry changing too much as far as levels go
https://www.coaa.ab.ca/COAA-Library/...an%20Model.pdf
Cat

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

It is a little more complicated than many people think.
Tests and conditions for pre - employment, just cause or post incident are not all the same
This is the Canadian Model that is being followed at the moment, and I for one do not see Industry changing too much as far as levels go
https://www.coaa.ab.ca/COAA-Library/...an%20Model.pdf
Cat

Same one our company follows, we do randoms as well, I've never seen it though thanks for the info.

[FishHunterPro]

All companies testing for marijuana should be forced to use nothing but the latest technology when it becomes legal . They should all have to use the swab go see if you used in the last 24hrs not something that can pick it up from 3 weeks prior . I'm all for testing and keeping the job sites safe but I wouldn't mind getting baked once every blue moon on my holidays without worrying about getting canned lol . Don't judge me

[Imagehunter]

Pretty sure a lot will use swabs. Those don't check for THC but something produced by the body to break it down (not a native speaker, so could be the wrong terms), the higher the concentration of that stuff, the shorter the time between smoking it and the test.
Got swabbed a few times by the police in traffic when living in Europe and those tests could show if you smoked within the last 24 hrs, two days or longer.
Other swabs just showed if you had anything at all in your blood (cocaine, mj, heroin) without a time frame.
It will be interesting for sure, glad I don't have to worry about that

[^v^Tinda wolf^v^]

When the government of Alberta put the servey out on how marijuana should be phased into everyday society the number one thing I said that needs to be updated is how insurance companies conduct drug screening in the work place. I went on to say that today's system is turning many into cocaine addicts because of how long it stays in a person system and if given the choice for those who feel the need to get high, I would guess they would choose a blunt over a rail except that it puts a persons job or potential job in jeporady. So a nice rail of poison that only stays in the body for mere days is the answer for some.

Im just going off what lessons have been taught to me in life and it's an ugly world for some behind closed doors no doubt. And that's why I say today's drug screening inadvertently creates hard drug addicts.

To sum that up, I think a 24 hour swab for marijuana should be mandatory for screening and this type of testing only for marijuana. But hey let's face it, we will have to endure many years of problems coming up because the government didn't take a smart approach to begin with. To top that up even further, I think we will see an large influx of hard drugs when marijuana is legal. More people will be killed because of unpaid debt to drug lord's as everything will be on a front do to cost now that the number one cash crop dies out.

Just speculations but probably accurate.

[JustBen]

Originally Posted by FishHunterPro

I'm all for testing and keeping the job sites safe but I wouldn't mind getting baked once every blue moon on my holidays without worrying about getting canned lol . Don't judge me

I think you're preaching to the choir for most. The problem with the current system is that guys switch to coke or smack for recreational drugs. Those cause a lot more issues than a joint, but they don't stick around for a week or two.

Personally, I'd rather work with a guy that smoked a doobie on days off than the guy who put his pay check up his nose.

[densa44]

I just got back from Oregon and next to the highway was one of those very tall signs that the gasoline companies is at the rest stops only this sign said "marijuana" so I'm sure all the players will make money and the governments will be very interested in a new easy source of revenue.

[ditch donkey]

[QUOTE=The Elkster;3627496]

I suspect it'll come down to some firings and legal challenges to set up some precedence on OHS stance. . Gov't is going to determine acceptable limits for driving and I doubt it'll be zero. It'll be interesting if a company is allowed to have a zero tolerance policy even if the gov't doesn't set a zero limit for things like driving. If weed is legal I suspect there will be some protections.
QUOTE]

I'm working on an Encana site right now. They have a zero tolerance for alcohol. 0.00% On site, or camp. Even fake beers like Molson Excel, or O'douls, which are .5% will get you run off.

[3blade]

Fwiw, I have not seen any law that stipulates what a business can or cannot write into policy regarding recreational drug use. Unless someone can show an actual law to the contrary, Zero tolerance is enforceable and I don't see that changing.

[stubblejumper01]

I asked my boss about this awhile back. He said we are a drug free company. A condition of hiring is a preemployment drug test as well as random testing. That will not change. Also some of our customers have been known to ask for a drug test before we go to their site.
I told one of my coworkers this and he thinks they can't stop him once it is legalized. I reminded him of the conditions he agreed to upon being hired but he thinks he can get away with it. My boss says 3 things will get you fired from this company. Theft, child porn and fail a drug test. Going to be interesting come next July. I would love to partake on the weekend or on holidays but I'd rather stay employed and keep the bills paid.

[JD848]

See there is this blindfolded lady holding a set of scales with her right hand and a sword in her left hand,this blindfold is slowly being removed and the grip on her sword is weakening,so be careful how we as a society proceeds forward.

Once this blindfold falls off ,good luck trying to put it back on,the law is the very fabric that keeps the tapestry of our society together ,but some folks keep tugging on that fragile fabric,there's laws that I don't like and there are some we must never let out of our grip because the future of our children depend on these laws in order to conduct there lives in safe and normal manner and live a very productive life.Every child is a product of there own environment ,specially with drugs.

[^v^Tinda wolf^v^]

More successful company's don't enforce zero tolerance and those that do turn their heads to those that challenge the systems in place because it's all to make the stock stay high

[JD848]

What will happen to those that hunt stone and to those who wish to not be high,another deal for us to think about our gun laws,don't trust what's going down because there's way more than letting someone smoke weed ahead of us.This new way they want with weed gives them more power to achieve what there after,think about it.

[Deo101]

Originally Posted by JD848

See there is this blindfolded lady holding a set of scales with her right hand and a sword in her left hand,this blindfold is slowly being removed and the grip on her sword is weakening,so be careful how we as a society proceeds forward.

Once this blindfold falls off ,good luck trying to put it back on,the law is the very fabric that keeps the tapestry of our society together ,but some folks keep tugging on that fragile fabric,there's laws that I don't like and there are some we must never let out of our grip because the future of our children depend on these laws in order to conduct there lives in safe and normal manner and live a very productive life.Every child is a product of there own environment ,specially with drugs.

You don't really believe the laws are doing a damn thing to keep drugs in check? They can't write laws fast enough to keep up with the synthetic crap showing up from China. The laws are making it worse! Legalize/Regulate should be the approach. Drugs are drugs! That includes everything the Doc writes up....

[Deo101]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Fwiw, I have not seen any law that stipulates what a business can or cannot write into policy regarding recreational drug use. Unless someone can show an actual law to the contrary, Zero tolerance is enforceable and I don't see that changing.

Recreational being the key word there. What if it's prescribed? There are Cannabis products that have zero psychedelic affects that will still cause a failed drug test.

[Deo101]

Originally Posted by JD848

What will happen to those that hunt stone and to those who wish to not be high,another deal for us to think about our gun laws,don't trust what's going down because there's way more than letting someone smoke weed ahead of us.This new way they want with weed gives them more power to achieve what there after,think about it.

Sorry, didn't know how to multi quote before now.


What happens when you hunt drunk? The laws are mostly written with the key word "impaired" So guess what, if you admit to being really tired you're under the same scrutiny.

[RavYak]

Pre and random samples should depend on the company/site working at. Don't like the rule, work somewhere else...

On sites or with companies that don't care about marijuana use then they could use the swab to test for marijuana in post accident cases.

So many potheads out there already, going to suck when this crap is legal...

[JD848]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Pre and random samples should depend on the company/site working at. Don't like the rule, work somewhere else...

On sites or with companies that don't care about marijuana use then they could use the swab to test for marijuana in post accident cases.

So many potheads out there already, going to suck when this crap is legal...

x3 Some guys see it other ways and I see it your way.

[hilt134]

Originally Posted by wildbill

The only thing I think they are going to have problem with is proving someone is actually high, just because its in your system doesn't mean your high, or under the influence. There needs to be a better test that actually determines if some is indeed under the influence. I think the unions are going to have a hay day with this. People don't like being told they can't do something that's perfectly legal in their own spare time. If you're high at work then yes you should held accountable. It would be like someone saying you can't hunt because its against company policy. I think to say you can't use it on your own time is unconstitutional, but, that is just my opinion.

I figure that its going to come to a legal limit and if your over you are higher than a kite. We all know guys who are pretty sober over the legal liquor limit. But its a very good bench mark. As far as it being a breach of your rights i do not think so. You can smoke if you want but you cant show up past the limit. Plain and simple.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by Deo101

Recreational being the key word there. What if it's prescribed? There are Cannabis products that have zero psychedelic affects that will still cause a failed drug test.

Most employers already have a policy for that. Same as opioids. You bring in your prescription and medical records and get a real long meeting with HR, what goes down is dependent on that particular situation.

Originally Posted by hilt134

I figure that its going to come to a legal limit and if your over you are higher than a kite. We all know guys who are pretty sober over the legal liquor limit. But its a very good bench mark. As far as it being a breach of your rights i do not think so. You can smoke if you want but you cant show up past the limit. Plain and simple.

No. Non. Nyet. Legal limit has nothing to do with it. If you don't have a valid medical reason to have a mind altering substance in your system, you can face consequences. "How much" isn't relevant. Alcohol is a 0.00 limit on many job sites. I personally know someone who got fired for 0.02. She had wine before bed, tested at 0700, fired before noon. Why would weed be any different? The medical side is already covered. So "remains in your system for weeks" doesn't fly. Want to work? Don't smoke weed. Want to smoke weed? Find another job.

There is no right to smoke weed, drink alcohol, or use drugs of any kind. In some cases it is legal. That doesn't make it a right. Gotta understand the difference.

[The Spank]

Easiest way to pass the test is don't use.

[rocketron]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...ink-drugs.html


check this out

[play.soccer]

A lot of major sites run drug dogs through orientations now. This will stop most guys from getting on site. I think there were 9 people asked to leave in my last orientation that I sat through last year. "bbbbbbuuttttt ittttttsssss leeeeegggggaaaaaaaaall maaaaaaaaan."