Can an LVN student smoke weed if they have their cannabis card?

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2012

Tricky topic, while it is legal in your state it is against company policy to test positive for "drugs". Chances are it is against school policy also. The BON is not to keen on this either. Hell many places will not hire you for smoking cigarettes.

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 9, 2012

Just because it may be legal to do doesn't mean that schools can't reject students or hospitals not hire employees. Heck, half the hospitals in my county won't hire you if you test positive for nicotine- perfectly legal substance, as long as you're over 18. So, depending on school policy (and of any facility where you may participate in clinicals), yes, they may have grounds to deny you.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 9, 2012

Schools and employers have the right to drug test you--it's part of the agreement when you decide to enroll or be hired there. Schools/employers can also reject/fire you based on the outcome of the drug test...and a valid prescription is NOT always bullet-proof protection against disciplinary action.

So yes, even with a valid THC card, the school can legally deny you admission if you fail their drug test because you didn't meet their requirements. Even in California. It doesn't matter if that'd be the only drug they'd find in your system.

Ultimately, it's the school's decision as to what will happen to you should you test positive, so they're the ones that you would need to talk to.

Best of luck.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 9, 2012

I think describing yourself as an 'avid' user is quite telling. It indicates that you use it for reasons other than the 'prescribed' purposes.

I would not wish to be cared for by any nurse who describes themselves as you do.

hellobunny · Dec 9, 2012

I think describing yourself as an 'avid' user is quite telling. It indicates that you use it for reasons other than the 'prescribed' purposes.
I would not wish to be cared for by any nurse who describes themselves as you do.

That's nice. I hope I don't have to care for a patient who is as judgmental as you. Win/win yay!

hellobunny · Dec 9, 2012

Schools and employers have the right to drug test you--it's part of the agreement when you decide to enroll or be hired there. Schools/employers can also reject/fire you based on the outcome of the drug test...and a valid prescription is NOT always bullet-proof protection against disciplinary action.
So yes, even with a valid THC card, the school can legally deny you admission if you fail their drug test because you didn't meet their requirements. Even in California. It doesn't matter if that'd be the only drug they'd find in your system.
Ultimately, it's the school's decision as to what will happen to you should you test positive, so they're the ones that you would need to talk to.
Best of luck.

That's what I figured. I'm speaking to my future instructor first thing Monday because if passing the test ultimately decides my fate then I can wait and just apply in the spring for the fall program, NBD. If I got in once I can get in again with a few more recommended classes under my belt :cat:

rivershark2005 · Dec 9, 2012

I wasn't going to do this, but your last post spurred me on.

Actually, at some point, you ARE going to have to treat a pt as judgemental as us. And any pt that knows what they're doing will be able to tell you're a marijuana smoker just by the way you act. So, let's say you're treating a career cop. He's going to know you smoke and is going to call your supervisor to request he be given a new nurse. It only takes a few such requests for your supervisor to notice a pattern with you at the center. This will make you a target.

As far as describing yourself as an "avid user," perhaps this was a mistake on your part. Avid users are the people that are typically too stoned to truly function. You calling yourself such makes me wonder if you're actually going to be able to handle the stress of nursing school without going out to partake in your car during a break from class. Why do I say this? Seen it way too many times. I watched a current LPN student go out to her car to pop a Xanex because she flunked a test. What wasn't a big deal to anyone else pushed her into using when she still had class left.

In all honesty, I have no problem with medical marijuana. I voted for it in the election this year. I have a close friend that uses to ward off side effects of chemo. Helps him eat. My future mother-in-law uses for the same reason. My fiancé uses to gain appetite because of other reasons. I don't personally use, but I don't have a particular problem with it so long as the user is not directly responsible for keeping me alive. I'm sorry, but I don't want my doctor or nurse to be going home at night and smoking a bowl. Just not comfortable with that.

hellobunny · Dec 9, 2012

I wasn't going to do this, but your last post spurred me on.
Actually, at some point, you ARE going to have to treat a pt as judgemental as us. And any pt that knows what they're doing will be able to tell you're a marijuana smoker just by the way you act. So, let's say you're treating a career cop. He's going to know you smoke and is going to call your supervisor to request he be given a new nurse. It only takes a few such requests for your supervisor to notice a pattern with you at the center. This will make you a target.
As far as describing yourself as an "avid user," perhaps this was a mistake on your part. Avid users are the people that are typically too stoned to truly function. You calling yourself such makes me wonder if you're actually going to be able to handle the stress of nursing school without going out to partake in your car during a break from class. Why do I say this? Seen it way too many times. I watched a current LPN student go out to her car to pop a Xanex because she flunked a test. What wasn't a big deal to anyone else pushed her into using when she still had class left.
In all honesty, I have no problem with medical marijuana. I voted for it in the election this year. I have a close friend that uses to ward off side effects of chemo. Helps him eat. My future mother-in-law uses for the same reason. My fiancé uses to gain appetite because of other reasons. I don't personally use, but I don't have a particular problem with it so long as the user is not directly responsible for keeping me alive. I'm sorry, but I don't want my doctor or nurse to be going home at night and smoking a bowl. Just not comfortable with that.

They will be able to tell I'm a marijuana smoker by the way I act... hmmm...? That has got to be one of the most ignorant things someone has said to me. So what will tip someone off? Me doing a good job? Me speaking? Me smiling? Because I can't think of ANYTHING that will tip off anyone that I use medicinal marijuana unless I come into work stoned which if you read above is something I'm against. Just like how you don't go to work drunk, or on Vicodin. If you read correctly I said I HOPE I don't have to care for a judgmental patient but odds are I will have to because that's the way the world works. No, saying I'm an avid user was not a mistake on MY part. All I did was come here and ask a question... not have to deal with statements that I could care less about. Who are you to tell me I might not be able to handle stress? Who are you to judge me and say I might go use in my car, like I'm some dope fiend, between classes? NO ONE! That's for sure. So THANKS for your uhh advice and stories or whatever you were trying to tell me but I think I'll just pretend I never read this and ignore your reply that you will most likely post.

PS. Just how you wouldn't want a marijuana user being your nurse, I wouldn't want a bipolar person on meds being MY nurse. To each their own, right?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 9, 2012

Moved to CA Nursing Forum to elicit further response/experience. Good luck in your educational endeavors.

hellobunny · Dec 9, 2012

Tricky topic, while it is legal in your state it is against company policy to test positive for "drugs". Chances are it is against school policy also. The BON is not to keen on this either. Hell many places will not hire you for smoking cigarettes.

Very tricky. In the end if a positive test will ruin it for me I can just wait and apply in the fall. It was worth it to ask though. Thank you! :laugh:

hellobunny · Dec 9, 2012

Just because it may be legal to do doesn't mean that schools can't reject students or hospitals not hire employees. Heck, half the hospitals in my county won't hire you if you test positive for nicotine- perfectly legal substance, as long as you're over 18. So, depending on school policy (and of any facility where you may participate in clinicals), yes, they may have grounds to deny you.

Thanks for your input! :up: