Well here's something I didn't think about: secondhand pot smoke?

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently accepted a position in a nice facility, after a year and a half hiatus to go back to school. I am now about to go through the pee and background checks. It's never been an issue in my many years as an RN, because I don't smoke pot, indulge in drugs, or hijack cars or rob banks.

Last night, I got to thinking, however, that exposure to secondhand pot might very well be an issue. See, I live fairly far out in the country, and the only store/gas station/diner/post office within a 17 mile radius of my home is owned by a moron who is of the green variety--grows, cooks, smokes (even in the store!) all varieties of cannabis one could imagine. (Before he bought the place, I had no idea of exactly how versatile cannabis is. Who knew?!? )

People have been complaining of pot smoke wafting through the building on occasion, and cops have been called (no regulatory agency wants to do anything about it---a story for a different day, and it doesn't help that I live in a very pot-friendly state.) I visit this place nearly every day--to pick up mail, yak with locals, buy a gallon of milk, get a burger, or buy gas. If it's particularly stinky on any given day, I don't stay long. I've not had to take a pee test for over 11 years (long before this clown bought the establishment), and it just never crossed my mind.

All I can think now is what the hell am I going to do if my pee has THC in it??? Tell my new employer, "Really! I didn't do it! There's this guy that owns the store, see, and..." If I was an employer, I'd be thinking, "Uh-huh, riiiiiight." (I would lay money down that some of you reading this are thinking, "Uh-huh, riiiight." :) ) In all seriousness, I am quite concerned. However, I don't know exactly how MUCH I have been exposed to, maybe not much, and perhaps I am just getting worked-up over nothing. But, I am at this establishment for at least a few minutes every day.

(My apologies for the gigantic, run-on paragraph in my OP. I did not write it in that format.)

Drive to your nearest WalMart, CVS, Walgreens, etc and buy a drug test. Take it home & pee and see what it says...then you can go from there by either having piece of mind or knowing it is showing up now & coming up with a plan.

Drive to your nearest WalMart, CVS, Walgreens, etc and buy a drug test. Take it home & pee and see what it says...then you can go from there by either having piece of mind or knowing it is showing up now & coming up with a plan.
That's an excellent idea. Didn't know they had that. I'm assuming these are send-out tests?

No, they have some that have the indicator on the cap. My brother used to have a pot problem so my parents used these on him a few times (and I would pee for him because that's what good little sisters do for $20). There are different tests that have anywhere between 4 to 13 drug panels, but the 4 panel is all you will need.

Our local dollar tree sells a marijuana pee test for $1. Lol

No, they have some that have the indicator on the cap. My brother used to have a pot problem so my parents used these on him a few times (and I would pee for him because that's what good little sisters do for $20). There are different tests that have anywhere between 4 to 13 drug panels, but the 4 panel is all you will need.
All right. I will look into that. Hopefully I am just being a worry-wart, and exposure has been minimal. I frequently give the store owner a piece of my mind on the detriments of pot use (I am wholly against the legalization of marijuana for anything but prescription use). Half the time he is stumbling stoned so my words are useless. It would be a sad irony if his pot habit that I abhor turned up in my pee. :(

Ok, CajunShrimp84 LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! I spit out my cola. $20 would get you some serious mall time, no?! Kids now-a-days would take no less than a hundred. HAHA

ANYWAYS.....OP, I would definetely think about pre-testing. And I wouldn't exactly EAT from there--ya never know what is in these burgers!! Just breathing it all in would be bad enough. It would be interesting, as there is legalization of pot in a lot of states, there are "caregiver" roles that are state mandated that one can grow and sell medical pot....so no telling what shows up in anyone's pee test anymore.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ok, CajunShrimp84 LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! I spit out my cola. $20 would get you some serious mall time, no?! Kids now-a-days would take no less than a hundred. HAHAANYWAYS.....OP, I would definetely think about pre-testing. And I wouldn't exactly EAT from there--ya never know what is in these burgers!! Just breathing it all in would be bad enough. It would be interesting, as there is legalization of pot in a lot of states, there are "caregiver" roles that are state mandated that one can grow and sell medical pot....so no telling what shows up in anyone's pee test anymore.Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Several weeks ago I walked in and it smelled particularly rank. One of the workers stated she thought the store owner had been cooking "pot butter" (whatever that is) in the restaurant's kitchen during the night. What a jackass. I haven't ordered a burger since. Another local resident "in the know" said he's been cooking something called "hash oil" in the basement. Apparently this is a process that uses butane to extract the THC. I hope he blows himself up. :(
Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Several weeks ago I walked in and it smelled particularly rank. One of the workers stated she thought the store owner had been cooking "pot butter" (whatever that is) in the restaurant's kitchen during the night. What a jackass. I haven't ordered a burger since. Another local resident "in the know" said he's been cooking something called "hash oil" in the basement. Apparently this is a process that uses butane to extract the THC. I hope he blows himself up. :(

Yikes. That is a little harsh, isn't it?

I don't mean to make this a political debate, but I just want to point out that alcohol/alcohol-related incidents and tobacco (a KNOWN carcinogen) kills more people than marijuana each year.

That being said, if you are worried about the second-hand smoke (which is a legit concern), I would avoid going to that establishment or only go on my days off.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Several weeks ago I walked in and it smelled particularly rank. One of the workers stated she thought the store owner had been cooking "pot butter" (whatever that is) in the restaurant's kitchen during the night. What a jackass. I haven't ordered a burger since. Another local resident "in the know" said he's been cooking something called "hash oil" in the basement. Apparently this is a process that uses butane to extract the THC. I hope he blows himself up. :(

Pot butter when you cook butter down and mix weed with it, and let it re solidify. By making pot butter it allows you to use it in recipes in place of regular butter

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