Detection of Marijuana use in elevator while at work

[CharLPN]

I just started a position on a SNF floor. I was moved to another floor due to scheduling issues etc. which is fine. 

I noticed a nurse at my arrival and we both entered the elevator. She stopped on the floor for Memory Care. The 4th floor. I told her I was new. And wished a good night. (there are 6 floors)

I was stationed on the 5th floor long term skilled. She arrived two different times during the evening seeking my trainer who is a PRN nurse. He told her nicely I will be down soon. 

Eventually he excused himself to visit the 4th floor and came back later. I believe 30 minutes. We started talking about work and eventually I wanted to eat my late dinner but had no plate. Around 11:30. He said, "let's check the employee cafe." 

Well, upon entering the elevator that he just left approximately 30 minutes prior, and us entering no later than 10 minutes after his return to the nursing station. There was a distinct strong odor of marijuana. I said nothing until he said, "It smells like smoke." I in return said, "No it smells of marijuana. I am very sensitive to the smell" He said, "yea" and that was it.  I just blabbered on about how sensitive I was just to make him aware. 

My issue is I have only been on the job for two days. (Orientation)

I plan on speaking to the appropriate folks. Honest, I am very upset. If the gal had anything to do with this that works on the 4th floor. (Hearsay at this time)

Would I be wrong to ask for all staff via appropriate whistle blowing to submit urine testing including self? Immediately to all that worked that very evening. Marijuana stays in urine for 30 days, yes? If not hair sample. This occurred Saturday 05/10/2025

I find it difficult to let this go. Everyone sleeping as a resident trust all participates of healthcare to be aware, knowledgeable and an advocate. All of this was lost once I knew one or may be more would leave the building to smoke marijuana and go back to work. 

Please help. I have work tomorrow night, 7P-7A.  And plan to stay after my shift so I may speak to someone. 

Thank You

 

 

[kp2016]

I would not be reporting this more than 24 hours after it occurred or demanding wide spread drug testing if I were you. You are convinced you smelled marijuana in an elevator space, this doesn't make it a fact that this was the case. The other person in the lift with you commented they smelled smoke. Now it could be that they don't know the smell and therefore didn't recognize it but it could also be that you were mistaken. 

I worked with someone once who's dog was sprayed by a skunk a few hours prior to their shift. Even after many showers and new clothes... they smelled. Awful. Strangely the locker room that contained the clothes and tote bag they walked in with also smelled for weeks, it actually smelled like marijuana at first then settled into a more  general nasty smell. Just a thought. The smell could have been something else entirely. 

Given the other person with you thought they smelled smoke the thing to do at the time this all occurred would have been to notify the facility Night Supervisor/ Charge about the possible smell of smoke / potential facility safety hazard and allow them to handle it. 

[CharLPN]

Thank you for the advise.

I haven't  reported formally. The 24 hour statement is very compelling. Doing something now would cause unnecessary angst among staff. 

If it occurs again, I will report discreetly to my supervisor and bring her to wherever it maybe detected. 

Again. Thank you.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

If it happens again, tell the supervisor and leave it with them. If you see someone acting impaired, tell the supervisor, and follow up with a letter to your boss and the impaired employee s boss, every time it happens. If the impaired person is working with you, I'd verbally push the supervisor to send them home, send the letters, and meet with your boss. If they harm a patient, calling the police is on the menu, but know that your job may be on the line.

You should know that the squeaky wheel gets annoying to its boss, even if you're right. Be careful.

[JKL33]

Just my personal opinion:

IF another occasion arises that you feel compelled to report, I would not report any suspicions or possibility unrelated stuff like who talked to whom about when they would be coming down for break. 
 

You aren't monitoring the elevator to know who all has been in it. I'd keep any report strictly limited to stuff like, "the elevator smelled like marijuana last night when I got into it at [X time].  That is all.