Legalized Marijuana

Legalized Marijuana

With the legalization of marijuana becoming more widespread, as more and more states are passing laws to legalize the use of recreational marijuana, the big question becomes……

Does Workplace Drug Testing Work?

Attitudes towards drug use can vary greatly, especially with ongoing changes to state legislation surrounding the distribution and consumption of marijuana. Some people are asking, is the war on drugs over? Has the time come for employers to relax their hiring policies, or even their random testing, to more closely align with the changing landscape of drug use? Here are some facts, which may provide clarity into these and other questions about workplace drug testing.

What drugs do tests detect?

Testing conducted according to SAMHSA’s guidelines checks for five illicit drugs plus, in some cases, alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol, booze).

These five illicit drugs are:

• Amphetamines (meth, speed, crank, ecstasy)

• THC (cannabinoids, marijuana, hash)

• Cocaine (coke, crack)

• Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)

• Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust)

However, most private employers are not limited in the number of substances they can test for and may include drugs that individuals legitimately and/or therapeutically take based on a physician’s prescription. Although most private employers can test for any combination of drugs, there are commonly selected “panels.”

The typical 8-Panel Test includes the above-mentioned substances plus:

• Barbiturates (phenobarbital, butalbital, secobarbital, downers)

• Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers like Valium, Librium, Xanax)

• Methaqualone (Quaaludes)

The typical 10-Panel Test includes the 8-Panel Test plus:

• Methadone (often used to treat heroin addiction)

• Propoxyphene (Darvon compounds)

Testing can also be done for:

• Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms, mescaline, peyote)

• Inhalants (paint, glue, hairspray)

• Anabolic steroids (synthesized, muscle-building hormones)

• Hydrocodone (prescription medication known as Lortab, Vicodin, Oxycodone)

• MDMA ( commonly known as Ecstasy)

But remember, just because recreational marijuana is legal in your state, that does NOT mean that employers have to allow its use on the job or even on your own private time off the job.

Information source: Drug And Alcohol Testing Association

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