Rastafari nurse and marijuana use

[ncriverrat]

I hope I don't start any arguments/debates with this....if so, please feel more than welcome to delete!

I have a friend who is in the first year of nursing school(finished pre-reqs and is in the junior year).

She is originally from Jamaica and she is Rastafarian. Now that she is has been accepted in the nursing program, I had to ask her a question.

As part of her religion and culture, she smokes marijuana, and she says it is part of the way she lives, just like other traditions she adheres to.

We had a discussion regarding this and her future employment possibilities.

She told me that since this was part of her religion, that no employer could discriminate against her. I told her that most(if not all I've seen) nursing jobs have some statement about being "drug free" or a "drug free workplace".

So now we're both wondering- can they not hire/fire her for something that is part of her culture/lifestyle/religion?

She has told me that even though she has is in the program, that she would in no way change her beliefs for a profession. So I don't really have any information for her on the subject, and thought someone on here may- any Rastafari nurses out there or have any input?

Thanks!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

This may sound mean, but my line of thinking is: If you want to use Marijuana for religious/cultural reasons, then don't move to a country like America- where it's illegal- if you plan on continuing to use it

And don't get a job taking care of patients, for Pete's sake. She'll find out soon enough when she doesn't get any nursing jobs because of her positive drug tests. Unfortunately, she sounds like an addict justifying her actions.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

I think as far as the peyote thing goes... that's probably the only substance other than wine at catholic mass, that the government recognizes as part of a religion. I don't think rastafarians (sp?) have gone through the process to make the government recognize them as a religion, and to recognize their use of marijuana for that purpose. So no, I don't think it will fly.

Not only that, but when she starts flunking drug tests for pre-employment, she will be at risk for someone to report her to the BON in her state. If the word should get out at school that she uses regularly, and if the school has in their policies a random drug test or whatnot (some do, mine didn't) then there could be problems there, possibly the kind that would keep her from graduating or land her in jail. Speaking of which, she does know that a conviction for possession would probably keep her BON from issuing her a license at all, yes?

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

I just read an article the other day about people who use medical marijuana. Specifically, they highlighted a stockbroker who is one of the last remaining people in the federal medical marijuana trial from the 70's. The article explored this as a worker's rights issue and was very clear that in no state does a worker have a right to smoke marijuana or use marijauna at work. This applies even to states who allow medical marijuana. These workers are at the mercy of employer rules which can legally bar that person from employment. The stockbroker in question has an employer who supports him but it was noted that it was totally the employer's voluntary choice.

I think it was in the NY Times but they archive articles after 24 hours so I can't link.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Huh. Well that's a completely different angle, but a good one. So disabled people are allowed to smoke if it's medical and in specific spots where that's legal, but people who might have any paying job, can't smoke...

Interesting.

[TraumaICURN]

I just read an article the other day about people who use medical marijuana. Specifically, they highlighted a stockbroker who is one of the last remaining people in the federal medical marijuana trial from the 70's. The article explored this as a worker's rights issue and was very clear that in no state does a worker have a right to smoke marijuana or use marijauna at work. This applies even to states who allow medical marijuana. These workers are at the mercy of employer rules which can legally bar that person from employment. The stockbroker in question has an employer who supports him but it was noted that it was totally the employer's voluntary choice.

I think it was in the NY Times but they archive articles after 24 hours so I can't link.

The OP is saying that the nursing student is using it for religious reasons....not because of any medical issues. So she wouldn't be able to use that excuse anyway.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

The OP is saying that the nursing student is using it for religious reasons....not because of any medical issues. So she wouldn't be able to use that excuse anyway.

Yes, I realized that. I felt it was helpful to offer information that was relevant. I still feel it was a germane post.

[rita359]

As for Catholics and the use of wine, wine is used during Mass and Catholics can receive wine at Communion but we are talking about a sip not a guzzle. A sip of wine would not be mind altering and would not show up on a drug screen even if you went to Mass every day and received wine. Its not like we use it at home and drink glasses of it as a religious observance.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

As for Catholics and the use of wine, wine is used during Mass and Catholics can receive wine at Communion but we are talking about a sip not a guzzle. A sip of wine would not be mind altering and would not show up on a drug screen even if you went to Mass every day and received wine. Its not like we use it at home and drink glasses of it as a religious observance.

Hey, I didn't intend to offend or imply that catholics drink a lot of wine. And you're right, a sip doesn't alter one's ability to think clearly.

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm suprised she even made it into school!! Wasn't she required to have a drug screen to get in?? The fact is, it's illegal,.angainst the law,.not only is she risking her career prospects,.she might find herself in jail!!!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I didnt have to have a drug screen prior to school, but you sure will have one pre-employment. I agree, its an illegal substance in this country and claiming religious practice isnt going to hold water, she would still be arrested for possession if caught with it/under the influence.

Just as someone whos religion tells them they cant work on sunday. Well dont get a job that requires sunday schedules. I really doubt that they would accomodate that schedule unless someone else were WANTING to work EVERY sunday.

She may want to think about forgoing that religious practice while living in the states.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

From what I understand of this religion (way of life, etc.), partaking in marijuana (ganja) use is optional and not a requirement.

[NurseguyFL]

As part of her religion and culture, she smokes marijuana, and she says it is part of the way she lives, just like other traditions she adheres to.

We had a discussion regarding this and her future employment possibilities.

She told me that since this was part of her religion, that no employer could discriminate against her.

Your friend has the right to believe whatever she wants to, but her assumptions about the law are incorrect. What she's telling you is also not true about marijuana and rastafarianism. Many Rastas are very health conscious people and they do not smoke marijuana. Regularly smoking majiruana may have been part of her traditional way of life in Jamaica, but here in the US it can land her jail. Marijuana use in the US is illegal, and she cannot use her 'culture' as an excuse to break the law. In fact, if she's not a US citizen and she is arrested for possessing marijuana, she can even be deported. She is quite mistaken to believe that it is discrimination for an employer to decide not to hire her if they find out that she's regularly using marijuana.

In any case, how safe a practitioner does this person think she can be if she shows up for work while high on weed. Would you want to be a patient that she's taking care of? I wouldn't. Your friend has her priorities mixed up. Either she want's to smoke weed and get high, or she wants to be a safe clinician. Its not possible to be both.