One of the things that I don’t talk about enough here is the problem of trying to use a medical marijuana card. Now that medical marijuana is legalized in so many different states, trying to keep a job while regularly using cannabis shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Especially if it is only done casually on the weekends or in the evenings or something like that. Unfortunately, the problem with cannabis in a lot of work culture is that it is just not allowed. A lot of employers across the United States are still clinging onto that idea of weed being an evil and addictive drug, even in the face of so many people benefiting from using medical marijuana in a beneficial way. One of the growing concerns for people that use cannabis is how their employers will react.
If there is not really a verdict out in a certain company, most people are simply going to not tell anyone that they are using cannabis for fear of getting punished or even fired. Companies are still doing random drug tests for traces of cannabis in states that have already legalized recreational cannabis. It would be like your job as a waitress not allowing you to drink alcohol or take ibuprofen even when you are not working at the restaurant. Seems a little crazy doesn’t it? Well, there is some merit for companies to be safe when it comes to allowing employees to use marijuana. But this is also a question of ethical concern, since many people are beginning to use cannabis as an alternative medicine for some chronic health conditions. Today, we are going to be talking about everything you need to know regarding employment and using marijuana.
If you have ever been looking online at different job postings, you probably have noticed the disclosure that companies will write on their posting explaining the drug testing policies. You may have to look a bit to find it, but it is definitely there. It would make sense for mandatory drug testing to decrease across the nation, especially when more and more people are beginning to use cannabis and it is becoming more accessible. However, research shows that the amount of drug testing in the United States by employers is actually increasing. What better way to alienate a bunch of potential employees by saying that their use of medical marijuana is not welcome in that company. Businesses could be losing out on valuable employees simply by drug testing for marijuana.
After all, what is the harm in using cannabis in the evenings or on the weekends while you are not working? Can it actually be said even when people do this with alcohol all the time? I really have no answer for this. However, I do know that many people would rather take a lesser position and avoid having to take a drug test. It brings up the ethical question of whether or not it is ethical to drug test patients that have a medical marijuana card. If they already have a serious clinical condition, been evaluated and referred by a doctor, is it fair to be able to discriminate against them? At what point is this unfair for someone with a medical condition? I am not really sure what the answer is. I do know that this issue is going to become more common as time goes on. Luckily, the job I have does not care about using cannabis or anything like that. In fact, my coworker uses edibles when he goes on vacation with his in-laws.
