4 ms·

My company has a policy of drug testing but I don't know anyone that has been tested. A couple of my coworkers that have been with the company longer than I hav

My company has a policy of drug testing but I don't know anyone that has been tested. A couple of my coworkers that have been with the company longer than I have, grow or have grown weed and talk about it at work. Around 4/20 one of my managers said he doesn't care if we smoke weed. But, there's still doubt. Personally I enjoy weed better than alcohol and they're both a matter of going down the street and showing my ID to get. I bought an ounce to keep in my fridge right now but I haven't been using it much because of the doubt surrounding drug testing and whether it is acceptable. I find other ways to deal with stress (kava is my go to atm), but I wish I could feel more comfortable with using weed. I don't think it's the best thing long term but my mind is in overdrive 90% of the time and it helps me actually slow down and feel things. I miss it.

marpstar 9y ago
Most companies that I've known to actually follow through with their "random" drug tests of their employees will only do so if there is liability at stake. For example, my best friend works as a Project Manager for a construction company. Even he will get tested sometimes when coming back from a vacation or Christmas break. We used to partake in the herb together but they were effective in getting him to give it up. However, in the world of software, I'd never even consider applying to a company that bans drug use. It's none of their business what I do after work and there's practically no liability at stake for a large majority of the work that I do. I'd be insulted if asked to take a test, and I'd quit on the spot.
- ryan-c 9y ago
  I don't even use weed (or any other drugs), and I wouldn't work anywhere that required me to be drug tested. I expect to be treated like an adult. Likewise, I'm not going to produce a note from a doctor if I'm taking sick leave.
  - Symbiote 9y ago
    I have a few friends who work as project managers and engineers on railways (two for a metro system, one for the long-distance trains). They're all subject to random drug tests, under the same policy as the train drivers. I think it's done to be fair to all staff, whether their current work is in a potentially dangerous position or not.
whipoodle 9y ago
Anyone know if the tests look for THC, or all cannabinoids, or what? I ask because a high CBD strain may be better for you, it's very relaxing without many of the other psychological effects, and typically the strains have very little/next to no THC. But I guess the possibility of a test failure would still be lurking.... there are also pure CBD capsules and tinctures. Just a thought.
- thebigspacefuck 9y ago
  I have been checking out CBD oil but I haven't found a great source for it. From what I've gathered, you can't buy it from recreational shops, even if they carry it for medical patients, because it doesn't have THC, but you can buy high ratios of CBD to THC strains/extracts. It's the same predicament for the testing, though it may clear out of my system faster. It's something I'm definitely planning on trying.
  - edoceo 9y ago
    Rec shops all over WA, Or, and CO have a wide selection of CBD products.
rhcom2 9y ago
First time I've heard of kava but the way you describe "overdrive" is exactly why I continue to use marijuana to slow down after work. Would you mind expanding on how you use kava and how it's effects compare to weed?
- thebigspacefuck 9y ago
  I drink 2-4 bags of the Yogi brand Kava tea they sell at most grocery stores. There's also a Kava bar in town where I've had the "real" Kava, but I didn't find that I noticed much more of an effect and some of the extracts upset my stomach. What I notice is that my stress dissipates and I slide into one calm train of thought. Tension leaves my body. I can read or watch a movie without feeling like I should be doing something else. It doesn't have any stimulating psychoactive or physical effects, but it's good if you want to shed the coat you carried home from work.
- aaron_m04 9y ago
  I'm not the person you're replying to (and I've never tried kava) but Erowid is usually a good resource for things like this: https://erowid.org/plants/kava/ https://erowid.org/plants/kava/
protomyth 9y ago
I work for a tribal community college and they do random drug testing about 4 times a year and have done all staff ones in the past two years. Part of it was a safety issues (teaching how to drive a semi is not a drug helpful experience), and some government & organization grants require a drug free workplace. Its a straight up escort you out of the building firing offense with your appeal being a blood test at the local clinic. Showing up to work drunk is also a firing offense for comparison. It just depends on where you work, and people need to understand what situation they are in.
adekok 9y ago
I talked to one company which was required to have drug tests and a drug policy for their security clearances. Allegedly, the drug tests were multiple choice, and the drug policy was "share, and share alike"
bittermang 9y ago
I always see those kinds of policies like a "Get out of Jail" card for the employer. They have a policy of testing on their books, so if taken to court they can point to their policy. They never enforce testing, because they know it would destroy their workforce. Yet they still have the option of selectively and "randomly" selecting a bad employee for a drug test, and if they fail they have a free pass to fire them and not pay unemployment.

marpstar 9y ago

Most companies that I've known to actually follow through with their "random" drug tests of their employees will only do so if there is liability at stake. For example, my best friend works as a Project Manager for a construction company. Even he will get tested sometimes when coming back from a vacation or Christmas break. We used to partake in the herb together but they were effective in getting him to give it up. However, in the world of software, I'd never even consider applying to a company that bans drug use. It's none of their business what I do after work and there's practically no liability at stake for a large majority of the work that I do. I'd be insulted if asked to take a test, and I'd quit on the spot.

ryan-c 9y ago
I don't even use weed (or any other drugs), and I wouldn't work anywhere that required me to be drug tested. I expect to be treated like an adult. Likewise, I'm not going to produce a note from a doctor if I'm taking sick leave.
- Symbiote 9y ago
  I have a few friends who work as project managers and engineers on railways (two for a metro system, one for the long-distance trains). They're all subject to random drug tests, under the same policy as the train drivers. I think it's done to be fair to all staff, whether their current work is in a potentially dangerous position or not.

whipoodle 9y ago

Anyone know if the tests look for THC, or all cannabinoids, or what? I ask because a high CBD strain may be better for you, it's very relaxing without many of the other psychological effects, and typically the strains have very little/next to no THC. But I guess the possibility of a test failure would still be lurking.... there are also pure CBD capsules and tinctures. Just a thought.

thebigspacefuck 9y ago
I have been checking out CBD oil but I haven't found a great source for it. From what I've gathered, you can't buy it from recreational shops, even if they carry it for medical patients, because it doesn't have THC, but you can buy high ratios of CBD to THC strains/extracts. It's the same predicament for the testing, though it may clear out of my system faster. It's something I'm definitely planning on trying.
- edoceo 9y ago
  Rec shops all over WA, Or, and CO have a wide selection of CBD products.

rhcom2 9y ago

First time I've heard of kava but the way you describe "overdrive" is exactly why I continue to use marijuana to slow down after work. Would you mind expanding on how you use kava and how it's effects compare to weed?

thebigspacefuck 9y ago
I drink 2-4 bags of the Yogi brand Kava tea they sell at most grocery stores. There's also a Kava bar in town where I've had the "real" Kava, but I didn't find that I noticed much more of an effect and some of the extracts upset my stomach. What I notice is that my stress dissipates and I slide into one calm train of thought. Tension leaves my body. I can read or watch a movie without feeling like I should be doing something else. It doesn't have any stimulating psychoactive or physical effects, but it's good if you want to shed the coat you carried home from work.
aaron_m04 9y ago
I'm not the person you're replying to (and I've never tried kava) but Erowid is usually a good resource for things like this: https://erowid.org/plants/kava/ https://erowid.org/plants/kava/

protomyth 9y ago

I work for a tribal community college and they do random drug testing about 4 times a year and have done all staff ones in the past two years. Part of it was a safety issues (teaching how to drive a semi is not a drug helpful experience), and some government & organization grants require a drug free workplace. Its a straight up escort you out of the building firing offense with your appeal being a blood test at the local clinic. Showing up to work drunk is also a firing offense for comparison. It just depends on where you work, and people need to understand what situation they are in.

adekok 9y ago

I talked to one company which was required to have drug tests and a drug policy for their security clearances. Allegedly, the drug tests were multiple choice, and the drug policy was "share, and share alike"

bittermang 9y ago

I always see those kinds of policies like a "Get out of Jail" card for the employer. They have a policy of testing on their books, so if taken to court they can point to their policy. They never enforce testing, because they know it would destroy their workforce. Yet they still have the option of selectively and "randomly" selecting a bad employee for a drug test, and if they fail they have a free pass to fire them and not pay unemployment.