Drug Testing in Colorado

[Desert Dan]

With the advent of legalization in Colorado, are employers still testing for thc in pre-employment/randomized drug screenings? More specifically can you be terminated from a Colorado state job for testing positive even if the state itself is legal?

DD

 

[aridbud]

Short answer: YEP, and YEP.

 

[MJPassion]

Yes they test... not all businesses do however...

Can they fire you for testing positive? Ummm... Why yes they can... but will they? Most companies dont like training new peeps when the employees they have are performing their jobs as expected or better than... evenin illegal states this is the case. A lot of companies would rather retain their well trained help in order to save the cost of training somebody new.

Of course, you'll need to interview your perspective employer or it's other employees to find out.

 

[Eighths-n-Aces]

A20 and A64 let us grow and smoke but it doesn't do anything whatsoever to protect your job

 

[Betterhaff]

This could have an interesting outcome.

http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-marijuana-lawsuit-2014-5#!LeZJM

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

A while back they terminated a quadriplegic because he was MMJ and tested positive. Of course that was the cable company that has the reputation of the worst place to work in Colorado. He was suing but I haven't heard any results yet. Companies do it because they can. My feeling is that companies are backing off some unless you are an emergency responder like LEO, fireman, train engineer etc.

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

Oh driving is somewhat iffy if you are MMJ and build up a tolerance. The limit is 5 milligrams (I think) of marijuana metabolites or decay products no matter if you didn't smoke for a few days. That was something they had to insert in A64 to get it passed. After objections they allowed people to try and prove they were not impaired (no implied consent) no matter what the blood test says.

 

[Jhhnn]

Lots of businesses still use pre-employment screening, some do testing for cause, like after an accident, some do randoms, either by choice or because they have to by federal law in the transportation business. So-called "violators" can be suspended, fired, or put on special contracts including lots of additional testing, counseling, the works. Depending on how the employer handles all of this, stoners are often better off to just quit than to provide evidence that goes into supposedly confidential employment files.

Anybody who invents a non-invasive test for THC rather than non-psychoactive metabolites will have the world on a string...

 

[aridbud]

A lot of companies would rather retain their well trained help in order to save the cost of training somebody new.
That was the norm when the market wasn't flush for qualified workers/employees. Don't be fooled by that premise. Having an employee go through counseling, EAP (Employee Assistance) is costly. Easier to find fresh no energy vs. keeping employee (as a boss/exec) wondering if the employee is still using...presenting a liability to the company.

Those hired (state/corporate) involving healthcare, transportation (as Jhhnn has mentioned), or other jobs involving safety of citizens are randomly tested, not just pre-employment drug screens.

And since Colorado is an "at will" state, employers generally may fire employees for any reasons, no reasons and even unfair reasons, as long as they are not illegal reasons.

 

[armedoldhippy]

businesses that have contracts with the federal govt are required by law to do pre-employment testing & have random testing. exactly how OFTEN they do "random" tests is open to interpretation. when I lost my job in an explosives plant due to a "random" drug test, I was the lucky winner of the first lottery there in nearly two years. sounds "random" doesn't it?

 

[TeamSleep]

Hey! Well its 2016 now. I will be a new resident of colorado tomorow. I have a job lined out and will be doing a pre-employment drug screen next week. Im 99.9% positive that i am clean of htc. I do not do drugs. I have my CA med card and plan to obtain my CO med card after residency is established.

A few questions.

1. Does anyone have any recent experience with pre-employment testing in the Denver metro area? Are they only looking for the hard stuff or is marijuana usually included in the test?

2. Any experience with jobs that say they pre-employment test, but do not as a cautionary measure?

3. Are there shops in the area that sell synthetic urine? Like monkey whizz.

4. Is the med card worth it? Or should I not waste the time or money and just do the rec thing?

5. Best craft beers in Denver?

I have a few days to kill before the interview and I definetly would like to explore the scene in Denver, but not at the risk of losing a job oppurtunity. I will be purchasing a at home thc test kit tonight just to double check.

Any comments, suggestions, or advice would really be appreciated.

Thank You. Having a great day.

TS

 

[MJPassion]

Cant comment on the whiz Quiz...

Keep your info to yourself and dont get a med card. Your much safer NOT giving your info to the state. Why do they need to know your private business?

 

[aridbud]

5. Best craft beers in Denver?

Too many to list., again...subjective, just like asking best pot.

 

[Bobby_Stainless]

If the company is a nationally owned business, then you will be tested, as their insurance policy will dictate it. Most likely the same for a locally owned business, as the business owner will care more about his exposure and less about the employees recreational habits.

This is not an issue of the business owner not wanting to hire smokers, in fact the FBI is having trouble finding hackers.

It has to do with the insurance companies, and their policy.

I have seen some restaurants say they test, but disregard THC. That is typically a dishwasher type position.

 

[TeamSleep]

5. Best craft beers in Denver?

Too many to list., again...subjective, just like asking best pot.

Whats a couple of your personal favorites?

 

[Bobby_Stainless]

Lone Tree Brewing Co is one of my favorites, but that's my area of town.

Epic is good.

Breckenridge Brewery Denver

Wynkoop

Great Divide