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While NORML discourages drug use on the job, we think no one should be forced to submit to drug
testing in a free society, especially for marijuana.
When marijuana is used responsibly, subjecting users to harsh criminal and civil penalties
provides no public benefit and causes terrible injustices. The responsible cannabis user does
not operate a motor vehicle or other dangerous machinery impaired by cannabis, nor (like other
responsible citizens) impaired by any other substance or condition, including some prescription
medicines or fatigue.
Urine tests may detect marijuana 2-7 days after occasional use, 1-3 weeks in regular users, and
up to two months in multiple daily users. Since urine tests do not actually test for the
psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, THC, but rather other, non-active metabolites, they in no
way measure actual impairment. The Government's own report, 'Cannabis: The Public Health Issues
1996' concluded that the very low level of workplace drug use meant that 'workplace drug testing
does not appear warranted.' However, if you are looking for a job, you may have to submit to a
test, so do avoid marijuana. If you are already employed, you have the right to refuse to do a
drug test, unless your Employment Contract specifies you must. Do not sign anything that gives
your employer the right to arbitrarily test you; by stating your objections, you will strengthen
your right to refuse a test. If you think you are being unfairly tested, you may have cause for
legal action. Aside form launching a legal challenge, your best defence is to be clean.
Recgnising that many people will face drug testing on short notice, we offer the following
advice for emergencies, with best wishes (but no promises!).
Types of drug tests
(and some ways to beat them)
URINE:
Although urine tests are not completely reliable, it is difficult to challenge a
positive result. No substance is known to produce a false positive for marijuana. Passive
smoking is also not an acceptable excuse for a non-smoker to test urine positive. Your best
strategy is to wash yourself out. Increase your fluid intake and urine flow to dilute the
concentration of drugs in the sample below the detection threshold. Drink as much water as you
can just before the test. Never give your first urine of the day. Niacin, vinegar or vitamin C
will not help. Do take a good dose of vitamin B-2 (50-100mg), available in B-complex
multivitamins, to colour your urine yellow. You can also boost your fluid output by taking
diuretics, which stimulate urination. Weak diuretics include coffee, cranberry juice, certain
health food products and over-the-counter pills for pre-menstrual water retention.
Drug Screens:
There is no substance known that will disguise drug use. So don't bother buying any 'beat the
test!' kits. Their modest success is probably more accountable to water dilution than the kit
itself.
Tampering:
Ethical issues aside, tampering is risky since you may be observed or made to
disrobe beforehand, and cheating isn't forgiven. If you want to risk it, you can tie a bag of
clean urine to your waist, but be aware, most labs will check to make sure the temperature is
right. You could also spike the sample with an adulterant, but only as a last resort as it could
be detected if the lab takes the trouble to do so. You may fool a EMIT test by adding a few drops
of detergent, bleach or Drano, or even a tablespoon of salt, however all can easily be detected,
and do not usually fool the GCMS test performed as a back-up.
BLOOD:
In some situations, blood tests may be requested. Blood tests are a much better gauge of current
impairment, since they measure actual THC. They generally register positive for just a few hours
after smoking, though very heavy users may test positive for a few days. Saliva tests have so far
proved unreliable. If you have recently smoked, but not currently under the influence, you should
insist on a blood test instead of a urine test if at all possible. If you are actually stoned,
take a urine test, since this will at least leave open the question as to when you were smoking.
HAIR:
This is an ominous new technology, that can supposedly detect drug use for however long you have
been growing your hair (and samples can be taken from anywhere on your body). Hair tests are
accepted as a means to test for opiates and cocaine, but have not proved reliable for marijuana.
Hair tests may or may not detect secondhand smoke.
The dangers of drug testing:
- Privacy: Drug tests intrude on intimate bodily privacy. Mass drug testing violates everyone's privacy.
- Accuracy: No test is 100% reliable. Labs in the US have remarkably high error rates from poor quality control.
- Relevance: Drug tests do not detect current impairment, but only some past use, which may have no relation to on-the-job performance. They also ignore alcohol
- Value: Testing has never been shown to be safe or effective in improving workplace safety or productivity. Studies indicate the great majority of drug-positive workers are just as reliable as others. The consensus of expert medical opinion is that drug tests are an inherently unreliable indicator of impairment.
- Alternatives: The shortcomings of drug testing can be avoided by performance tests (including computor simulators) that measure actual concentration and reaction time instead of chemical residues.
Many thanks to US NORML.
More Information: Abbie Hoffman, Steal This Drug Test; Beverly Potter & Sebastian Orfali, Drug Testing at Work; call US NORML info line (USA) 1-900-97-NORML (US$2.95/min), Internet resources include FTP site PISS.N.PASS and web sites http://www.norml.org and http://www.hightimes.com
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