MedievalMan

I used to be a heavy pot smoker (1/2 - 1 joint/day)... I quit back in August because I started a prescription of Celexa for depression.

Anyway, I had to take a urine test for a software engineering job I started in October (as for some reason the recruiting company, Aerotek, forgot to give me the pre-employment screening.)

I figured the pot wouldn't still be in my system to any measurable amount.. I did "flush" (ie drank a ton of coffee and water the day before and day of) just incase.. I passed the inital screening (the computer came up with a "pass" after they put it in the coffeemaker, heh.)

However, I got a call from the screening doc a few days ago (she sounds like an uber bitch, btw) saying that I tested +'ve for marijuana. I told her that should be impossible, etc , etc, but she said that was no excuse. She told me , get a perscription or fail, and I have 5 days to do so, basically.

I did some reading on the net, and apparently THC gets into your fat tissue, and can come up on urine tests months after your last smoke (should have did this first, huh?) As well, it seems antidepressants can also effect the THC half-life.

I'm doing a great job so far at work, numerous projects, my boss wants to hire me permanently already, etc etc. I really don't want to lose this position over something as trivial and stupid as this (I live in Canada, btw, and commute to the US). I haven't asked the company I work for on their policy on the drug tests (however, I know Aerotek's is zero tolerance). I love it, the USA, a country that claims to be democratic, yet you are guilty until proven innocent

Anyway, I have an appointment with my doctor/psychiatrist tomorrow.. I'm going to basically explain the situation w/ paperwork to him, and see if he'll give me a temporary prescription for "marijuana tablets" (heh) to avoid these problems (not sure how that will go.)

Any other advice/possible ideas?

Nambus

You can attempt a retest under supervision by asking your boss

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MedievalMan

Is it mainly US companies that do drug testing since Regan's drug policies in the 80's? I've never heard of Canadian companies doing it.

IMO, drug testing is absurd. What you do on your own time is your own time. Sure, you shouldn't be able to come in drunk/stoned/etc, but personal time is personal time.

Nambus

For insurance reasons many companies are required to test employees some employers may just want a clean test on file

MedievalMan

About the doctor being a bitch, I guess I'd be a bitch too if I was a doctor and yet screened piss all day.

Nambus

You actually made me laugh good one

MedievalMan

Thanks for the suggestion and advice.

How realisitic is my idea about asking the doc? Somehow I think some might consider it unethical.

I think if it comes down to it, I will ask for a re-test, and make sure to take every measure possible to past the test (I'm thinking the "NH" suggestion thread on this forum, or something similar.)

FakeBoobsRule

Do you really think the doctor ever comes in contact with the urine? Yeah they pay someone with 2 college degrees and a residency hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to stick urine in a lab machine and run the tests instead of hiring a tech at a fraction of the cost. The MRO just reads results on paper that has probably been faxed or sent electronically to them usually as a side job and they get paid well for it.

Maybe the doctor just is sexually frustrated though!

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MedievalMan

Point taken, FakeBoobs!

I'm a real-boob person myself... those fake ones just look to .. fake.. but they sure are popular!

MedievalMan

Talked to the Doc: his comment was "bloody stupid Americans". He was mildly surprised that it was still in my system, thinking that the antidepressants/ativan could certainly throw drug tests off (apparently Ativan makes you pop up for opium, though I believe it is technically an opiate).

He said what I was thinking already: if they really like you, they'll keep you on. If not, it wasn't meant to be (and I'll probably look for a job here in Canada again.)

I'm going to inform my recruiter representative and my boss before the med doctor calls - I figure this would be a good idea, as I'm not "hiding it" till the very last minute.

Any other suggestions?

-Medieval