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.
steph, i dont think you can attribute all this behavior to smoking weed. it sonds like he has an attitude/anger mgmt problem.
the worst problem i had when i smoked pot was i always wanted to hug people and eat doritos. never made me angry, impulsive, tearful, etc.
i know you are an ER nurse, i am a medic. i deal with the druggies before you get them. and i can honestly say that i dont think i have ever picked up anyone who got violent while smoking weed, who overdosed on weed, or who crashed a car while smoking weed. etoh, cocaine, pcp, meth, ecstasy, heroin, oxycontin... yes. weed, no. they might have fallen asleep on a public bench or something and we would go to check on them, but most of them they would smile and say "thanks, dudeeeee"
most of the time, the pot heads were the one who had the calm in them to call 911 when their buddy had etoh poisoning and was aspirating vomit.
i could care less if someone smokes weed as long as they do it on their own time.
I'm trying to remember why I brought him up . .. This thread is moving fast.
Obviously, not everyone who smokes pot ends up like him. That wasn't my point. I'm not into hysteria.
I agree that most likely the majority of pot smokers don't do much except sit around and contemplate their navel.
I think I'd like to focus on the illegal aspect and the judgment of a nurse who disobeys this particular law - (as opposed to downloading music).
Thanks for what you do by the way - one of my very best buddies is a Paramedic. And our ER is staffed with medics - not techs. I love you guys.:redbeathe
I'm trying to remember why I brought him up . .. This thread is moving fast.
Obviously, not everyone who smokes pot ends up like him. That wasn't my point. I'm not into hysteria.
I agree that most likely the majority of pot smokers don't do much except sit around and contemplate their navel.
I think I'd like to focus on the illegal aspect and the judgment of a nurse who disobeys this particular law - (as opposed to downloading music).
Thanks for what you do by the way - one of my very best buddies is a Paramedic. And our ER is staffed with medics - not techs. I love you guys.:redbeathe
steph
i would be lying to you if i said i wasnt file sharing on limewire, lol. but i dont think the BON investigates too far into that.
we love you guys too! i met my hubby to be in the hospital (he's an RN). i left the field for the ED. liked it so so much better.
i take my boards as soon as i get this darn test date and then i have an interview for a new grad job in the ED..... woohoo!
From personal experience MJ effects the person as whole physically and mentally. It alters the way you think causes you to lose a grip on reality . And causes the person to act abnormally and regress into a unusual behavior pattern. Denial seems to be the relevant issue like saying its not the MJ that makes this way , they blame there problems on loved ones . My brother is who I am using as my personal experience he has tried to quit but I know he will never be totally sober . MJ destroyed my brother he lost many cognitive skills and has no motivation in life. I love him dearly but he will never be the same like he was before he started to abuse MJ . This issue is very concerning to me because it directly effected me and that is why I am so passionate about it .
As an ex smoker I can tell you that if you put a pinch of Na into the urine and please don't be stupid enough to not let it dissolve, your test will come back clean. Now, I'm not advocating this at all (I was a teenager), but someone asked in a previous post. I've done it more than once.
I agree with some of the posters, it's illegal and that's why they get you. I was a kid when I was involved with pot (and other drugs), not an addict, just experimentation. When I smoked, after a few hours, I would be lethargic and just not on top of my game. I'm so glad that I'm not that age anymore. To each their own, but because it's illegal (and I believe only because its illegal), employers will continue this practice. I would be much more concerned with nurses shooting up and stealing narcs than a nurse that smokes a joint once in awhile. But, until they see the point in taxing it to death and making it legal, this is the way its going to be for awhile.
Spidey's Mom, I'm from an area with a lot of drug use, and my career has exposed me to a lot of drug use, and I say this with all sincerity: what you are describing does not sound like *just* marijuana use. I strongly suspect there is mental illness, other drugs, or a combination thereof. I hope he seeks help. :)
As for the license issue, I don't smoke anything so I have no dog in this fight. It wouldn't be worth it to me to lose my job or my license for a recreational drug. I enjoy a beer or glass of wine on a regular basis, but if I had to choose between my Pinot and my job, I'd choose my job. I just don't think I should have to, and to me that's the real issue here. I also view the illegality of marijuana as a political issue, because I think it's ridiculous that we waste so much fighting something that's not dangerous.
I don't smoke pot either but I joined this post because I see it as another drug that has the potential to help people yet it is still considered a the Class II drug. It is cheap, easy to manufacture, and can be used for many conditions with minimal side effects. And this is something the FDA/ big drug companies fear as it cuts into their bottom line-$$$$$$.
Why deny a patient a medication that is effective?
This is a smoking topic judging the number of pages in such a short time!
I don't smoke pot either but I joined this post because I see it as another drug that has the potential to help people yet it is still considered a the Class II drug. It is cheap, easy to manufacture, and can be used for many conditions with minimal side effects. And this is something the FDA/ big drug companies fear as it cuts into their bottom line-$$$$$$.
Why deny a patient a medication that is effective?
This is a smoking topic judging the number of pages in such a short time!
Amen! Heaven forbid farmers make any money producing a product that is safe and effective! (Hey, maybe I do have a dog in this fight. Not really--MJ doesn't grow well in my neck of the woods.)
This thread is moving fast. 
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judging the number of pages in such a short time!
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
steph