Is Cannabis use allowed by hospital employees in California?

[Foxhound3857]

Obviously not while on the clock or on a work night or anything like that, but I recently began using cannabis gummies for stress and anxiety relief, typically about 4 gummies a week, 5mg each. Since cannabis is now legal for recreational use in California, do most workplaces, particularly the ones that do random drug tests, allow their workers to use cannabis recreationally in their off time, or are most places strictly drug-free and will fire you if a drug test reveals you've had THC at any point in time?

I want to know for sure because I've been arranged an externship at my local hospital on the 19th of July to finish my Phlebotomy course, and I don't know what their employee policy is on cannabis use or if they do drug tests or what. I just want to be sure that my use of this stuff isn't going to jeopardize my future career that I've worked towards.

 

[JimMIA]

I would say it doesn't matter at all what anyone else does. You need to know -- with certainty -- what that hospital's policy is. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

[kanerf]

Make sure that they cannot pull you in for a random drug test whenever they choose. Some companies and organizations have this in their employee policies.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would just give the HR department a call and ask.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I would just give the HR department a call and ask.

I have to go to my campus tomorrow so they can take a photo copy of my BLS card. I plan to ask them about it then since that person is the one who arranged the externship for me.

I'm happy that it's finally happening, I just don't want something that I do recreationally for anxiety relief, since it's now legal in California, to jeopardize my employment or even my ability to complete my training and become a licensed CPT.

My current workplace does not do drug tests, so as long as I don't use while on the clock or the night before a shift, I'm alright. A hospital might very well be different though, even for a student on an externship.

 

[JimMIA]

My current workplace does not do drug tests, so as long as I don't use while on the clock or the night before a shift, I'm alright. A hospital might very well be different though, even for a student on an externship.

What your current workplace does is irrelevant...as is whatever your campus advisors think.

The only thing that is relevant is that one hospital's policy.

When I went to EMT school many years ago, we had to not only have a drug test prior to being admitted to the class (because we were going to be doing clinicals in hospital EDs) -- we also had to have fingerprints taken for a full FBI background check...which was a little amusing since I was already retired from law enforcement!

 

[starry_solo]

BTW, legal for recreational use just means that you cannot be prosecuted for using it, under state law (that is, subject to criminal action).

It's still illegal under federal law.

I'm pretty sure your hospital policy would prohibit it.

There is a 2008 California Supreme Court case that said an employer can fire an employee for medical marijuana use.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just don't want something that I do recreationally for anxiety relief

Wouldn't that be a medicinal reason rather than a recreational reason?

 

[tvguy]

BTW, legal for recreational use just means that you cannot be prosecuted for using it, under state law (that is, subject to criminal action).

It's still illegal under federal law.

I'm pretty sure your hospital policy would prohibit it.

There is a 2008 California Supreme Court case that said an employer can fire an employee for medical marijuana use.

And I have to wonder if the job within the hospital could be a factor? Could it be forbidden if the person's job is dealing with Federally regulated medications for example?

 

[Foxhound3857]

Wouldn't that be a medicinal reason rather than a recreational reason?

Perhaps, but I don't have a medical card for such a purpose.

So the safe play would be to just stop using it until the externship is done with?

 

[The WDW 3]

Smoke up Johnny!

 

[tzolkin]

When I went to EMT school many years ago, we had to not only have a drug test prior to being admitted to the class (because we were going to be doing clinicals in hospital EDs) -- we also had to have fingerprints taken for a full FBI background check...which was a little amusing since I was already retired from law enforcement!

Lots of places do fingerprinting for background checks. My teen just had to do this and a drug screen to work at the YMCA summer camp.

You’re absolutely correct that every workplace will have different requirements so it’s best not to assume.

Wouldn't that be a medicinal reason rather than a recreational reason?

Not if she hasn’t been prescribed it by her doctor. And even then they may not care if the hospital has a zero tolerance policy. We had a contractor getting credentialed at a hospital last summer. His doctor had recommended that he use CBD for his anxiety while he was out of work due to Covid. He wound up testing positive for trace amounts of marijuana and was not able to work at this particular hospital.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Smoke up Johnny!

I don't smoke, Can't stand cigarettes, can't stand the smell of marijuana in general. That's why I chose gummies, they're much more discreet.

I have one cigar every year on the 4th of July, my dads tradition. I use it to light fireworks.

 

[ronandannette]

Perhaps, but I don't have a medical card for such a purpose.

So the safe play would be to just stop using it until the externship is done with?

Is there some reason your reluctant to just ask the question to the appropriate authorities?

 

[Foxhound3857]

Is there some reason your reluctant to just ask the question to the appropriate authorities?

I can't call them right now, their offices are closed. I'm planning to call them tomorrow and speak with my sponsor in person.

 

[JimMIA]

Lots of places do fingerprinting for background checks. My teen just had to do this and a drug screen to work at the YMCA summer camp.

Of course. They're working with kids.

You’re absolutely correct that every workplace will have different requirements so it’s best not to assume.

Yep. It's always good to remember what happens when we ***-U&Me!

 

[ronandannette]

I can't call them right now, their offices are closed. I'm planning to call them tomorrow and speak with my sponsor in person.

Well, if the decision has to be made tonight without finding out for sure, then you should default to laying off the gummies for now.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Well, if the decision has to be made tonight without finding out for sure, then you should default to laying off the gummies for now.

TBH, I only started three days ago. I've only had one. So yeah, I can just shelf them for now.

Very, very excited to finally have an externship arranged though. After that I'll be able to get my license and hopefully apply for a job either at Kaiser, Lifestream, or another Blood Bank.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good luck, best wishes with the job, FH.

 

[Foxhound3857]

Good luck, best wishes with the job, FH.

Lifestream is what I'm hoping for at some point because I've been volunteering there for two years now. It wasn't my original reason for signing up, but I've built up a pretty good rapport with them now, especially the supervisor at my donor center. She told me that, when I'm ready, she'd flag me for an interview.

I didn't think me giving blood for the first time would open the path to a career that I'm passionate about, but it seems that's the direction my life is going. This is something that I care about immensely and I'm very hopeful for the future.