Marijuana Use By Workers- No Big Deal?

Some employers are not too concerned about the use of pot by their employees. They liken the occasional use of marijuana to having a couple of beers after work. There are some pretty glaring differences though.

Alcohol testing, using a breathalyzer, can detect current alcohol use and current impairment. Tests for marijuana however cannot determine current impairment. That means that the employer cannot determine if the employee smoked some pot at a party over the weekend, or whether they smoked it on the way to work!

Unlike alcohol, which is a legal and a regulated substance, marijuana is illegal and carries the risk of fines and imprisonment. An employee who possesses drugs at work, or in their vehicle, is putting themselves and the company that they work for at risk.

Private employers who request that their employees not be tested for marijuana, and only tested for other "harder" drugs usually reverse their decision after consulting with their lawyers and professionals in the substance abuse community. Marijuana and a good work environment are just not compatible.