Legal prescriptions but legal grey area
I am on the cusp of receiving, and accepting, a job offer. After 2 years of hell (both at my abusive job and with lack of offers), I am ready. I have one major concern. I have a legal prescription for ADD medication as well as a medical card for cannabis. I live in a state where medical is legal and recreation is not. It is a chronic pain issue, mostly effecting sleep. I use it to sleep. I don't use it during work hours or for anything else other than what it was meant for, helping me sleep and aiding in my healing process. I stopped using in the last two weeks fearing the pre employment drug screening. Of course, I'm not sleeping half as well due to discomfort, pain, and high levels of stress.
I know it is up to the company and they can test and rescind my offer. I have also briefly chatted with a lawyer friend who expressed that even though I am a legal user, it is a massive gray area (as far as HIPAA protections for medical conditions). I am very much against offering this information outright (admission is guilt, they could rescind the offer without a test at that point), but feel I need to ask about their policy regarding prescribed medications in general.
Anyone have any experiences with this? Suggestions?
Anonymous
08/20/20 at 5:53PM UTC
I have the same issue. My company is about to adopt a 0 tolerance even though it is medically legal in our state. I am afraid that I will lose this job and have a hard time finding another one. I have chronic migraines and take 1 dropper of tincture every night before bed. It keeps the migraines at bay.
Gigi Devanney
Comm/Mktg prof w/ focus in SaaS & higher ed.
552
08/12/20 at 1:14PM UTC
You have already been abstaining... just hang in there until you get the offer and the drug test. I'm not a fan of medical use of cannibis because I feel like, although there may be some positive effects, it is "the cool" drug and is very much over prescribed. In many states getting a medical card is super easy.
All that said, I wouldn't stir the pot unnecessarily. Give up a few hours of sleep and get the new job.
Anonymous
08/12/20 at 1:37PM UTC
**OP**
I understand the perspective on medical cannabis. After 2 years of pain (found the root issue in May), I was and still am very reluctant to use opioids /harder drugs that can lead to serious issues with long term use. Goal is to not need anything to help with sleep or pain come re-certification time. I am using it as a means to an end to help heal and not something I desire to use forever let alone a year from now. PT/Chiro/sleep/modified activities are also a part of my recovery.
Like you said, abstaining is clearly the best course of action. I worry that if the test comes up too quickly, it would pop in my system despite not using.
Gigi DevanneyComm/Mktg prof w/ focus in SaaS & higher ed.
552
08/12/20 at 1:48PM UTC
please know I'm not trying to judge, really... we all have to do what we feel is best.
My husband worked in an addiction treatment center (for pain) for years (not as a counselor) and I've just heard so many stories about folks who fell down a slippery slope... and they almost all started with marijuana for pain management and it went into opioid abuse and more...
Wishing you the best... and hope your job offer comes through soon!
