This may come as no surprise to you but we’re going to say it anyway — Americans are failing drug tests left and right thanks to cannabis. Out of all the drugs that an employee could take before a urine or hair test, cannabis is without a doubt the worst, simply because it remains in your bloodstream for the longest period. Serious drugs like cocaine and MDMA leave your system within days, whereas cannabis can linger for 2-3 months. If cannabis is part of your daily lifestyle, should you refrain from smoking in the months leading up to a job interview or drug test? Is cannabis in the workplace still highly illegal? Let’s explore this grey area together.
The Future Of Cannabis Legalization
Firstly, let’s give a shoutout to how far cannabis legalization has come in recent years. 2020 could be the year that cannabis becomes federally legal — if we get the right President in place. Frontrunners Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both have plans to federally legalize cannabis in all 50 states. If that were to happen, workplace drug tests would have to re-think their whole procedure. As more states move to legalize cannabis, employers are starting to re-consider potential employees who test positive for the harmless green plant.
The Downsides Of Workplace Drug Tests
The biggest issue with drug tests is that they don’t provide any background. You could smoke cannabis once, just once in your life, and test positive (and possibly lose that job opportunity). Drug tests “do little to prove whether an employee is a habitual marijuana user — and links between positive drug tests and employee performance are weak,” according to Business Insider. And, as we previously mentioned, it could take months for cannabis traces to leave your bloodstream.
Can I Smoke Before Going To Work?
This is where matters become complex. To put it simply, it depends on your job. If you work in retail or customer service, such as a bartender, waitress, hostess, or barista, cannabis in the workplace may seem harmless. In fact, it might make you enjoy your job more, make you a happier employee, or put an extra pep in your step for the long day ahead. However, if you work in medicine or construction, cannabis could have life-threatening mistakes.
- Would you trust a stoned surgeon?
- Would you rely on a high pilot?
- Would you feel comfortable around a “greened out” electrician?
Most likely not. There are certain job titles and positions that require a 100% sober individual. No alcohol, no cannabis. There will always be exceptions even if cannabis becomes federally legal.
How To Pass A Drug Test
If your workplace is against cannabis, the only way to pass a drug test is to have clean urine. That being said, what if you need daily cannabis for medical purposes? What if you’re prescribed medical cannabis? Detox drinks may be able to help. While they’re not 100% effective, it surely doesn’t hurt to try. Experts recommend the following brands:
- Detoxify Xxtraclean Herbal Cleanse
- Rescue Detox Blueberry Ice Instant Cleansing Energy from Applied Sciences
- Stinger Detox ‘The Buzz’ Deep System Cleanser
Detox drinks work by flushing out your system and all cannabis traces — so you can expect to have to pee every ten seconds. According to a poll released by the Society for Human Resource Management, about 57% of American companies subject employees to drug tests. Needless to say, these drinks have become quite popular in cannabis users who dread the nervewracking drug test.
Be Honest With Your Employer
On the bright side, cannabis is no longer looked at as something only “lazy stoners” use. Research proves that cannabis has multiple medical benefits. No matter what your reason is for consuming cannabis, be honest with your employer about it. Have that awkward conversation with HR. You never know how understanding or accommodating a person may be toward your situation.
The future of cannabis in the workplace looks bright. Thanks to the rise of its popularity across America and Canada, companies are now having a harder time to dispute positive drug tests that stem from cannabis. Still, it never hurts to ask about your company’s policies beforehand, just so you have time to prepare and think about if it’s a place you want to work. Would you work for a company whose morals don’t align with yours? Sleep on it.
