Nurses who smoke marijuana

Nurses General Nursing

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I believe it is no employers business with what I do after work OFF duty. I have the right to smoke a joint if I want to. I'm a responsible adult MJ smoker and would never come into work stoned. Ever. I don't do any other drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes. I do a great job, love my patients, always arrive to work on time, do what I'm supposed to do as a health professional.

Testing positive for a drug does not suggest impairment. I think we can all agree on that fact.

Tip for other MJ smokers:

From what I understand it is better to refuse to take a drug test knowing you will test positive than actually take the test; because your license could be revoked.

Drug testing is a clear violation of our 4th amendment rights.

Am I for drug tests? Absolutely. Pre-employment and poor job performance. Random? No way.:banghead:

"Research has shown that marijuana’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time."

Pope HG, Gruber AJ, Hudson JI, Huestis MA, Yurgelun-Todd D. Neuropsychological performance in long-term cannabis users. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58(10):909–915, 2001.

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I really see no issue with drug tests, randomized or not. If it prevents healthcare workers from treating and caring for patients while under any influence....then I don't see why it should be a problem. I commend you for being responsible with the drug, but honestly, some people may not be. Just my opinion, though.

I don't have a problem with randomized drug tests. Our job is important - patient advocate - and being unsafe at work risks people's lives.

We own a logging business - we do drug tests because a person on a skidder or carrying a power saw or any of the other dangerous machines out in the wood puts your co-workers at risk. We had one kid who smoked pot at home, showed up at work brain dead and with red eyes, and a few weeks ago almost killed himself by being irresponsible with his skidder and a tree.

I do not think the OP is being responsible - Pot is ILLEGAL.

steph

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

ok, so judgement-wise, how are you as a professional able to tell someone what to do to improve their health? Isn't that just a bit hypocritical? I agree that employers do not have the right to tell you what to do while you're off the clock...but the law is clear.

MJ is illegal. When it becomes legal, then feel free to partake any way you want. Otherwise, obey the law. it's part of what they expect of a professional.

and random drug testing busted a friend(a nurse) who was diverting vicodin and morphine for personal use.....so I am all for it. Patient safety and security comes first.

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California recently passed a law that says if you're an MJ patient employers can't fire you for testing positive for MJ.

Thank goodness CA got the right picture. It will eventually spread to other states...

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I don't have a problem with randomized drug tests. Our job is important - patient advocate - and being unsafe at work risks people's lives.

We own a logging business - we do drug tests because a person on a skidder or carrying a power saw or any of the other dangerous machines out in the wood puts your co-workers at risk. We had one kid who smoked pot at home, showed up at work brain dead and with red eyes, and a few weeks ago almost killed himself by being irresponsible with his skidder and a tree.

I do not think the OP is being responsible - Pot is ILLEGAL.

steph

Good point. I agree.

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"Research has shown that marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time."

Pope HG, Gruber AJ, Hudson JI, Huestis MA, Yurgelun-Todd D. Neuropsychological performance in long-term cannabis users. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58(10):909-915, 2001.

That is this kid . . . . my husband would complain that some days the kid would come to work and sorta "get it" and then others he was completely brain dead. My dh would just shake his head at how stupid this 23 year old was because he helped coach him in high school and he was a smart kid then. Now he cannot follow instructions . .

steph

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People who smoke MJ should not submit to a drug test. Attorneys in many states will agree it is best to quit right there on the spot and challenge them in court. This protects your license from being revoked in many states.

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I don't smoke pot, but really, I think alcohol is worse.

I've never heard of a person wrecking their car and beating their wife in a marijuana induced haze.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Canada doesn't drug test.

A nurse can be impaired for many reasons - lack of sleep, hang over, allergy medication.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
People who smoke MJ should not submit to a drug test. Attorneys in many states will agree it is best to quit right there on the spot and challenge them in court. This protects your license from being revoked in many states.

You're missing the point, I think.

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California recently passed a law that says if you're an MJ patient employers can't fire you for testing positive for MJ.

Thank goodness CA got the right picture. It will eventually spread to other states...

I live in CA and that is a stupid law.

My nephew is a CHP who used to work in Santa Cruz and there is an infamous doc in that area who gives out RX's for mj for NO medical reason. One of my favorite stories that he tells is pulling over a car with two young men reeking of pot and having them both pull out RX's for the pot for "back pain".

Yeah . .right. . . .:icon_roll

steph

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I don't smoke pot, but really, I think alcohol is worse.

I've never heard of a person wrecking their car and beating their wife in a marijuana induced haze.

I have.

steph

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