I’m getting/have a job in Minnesota and need a drug test. My employer is testing for Marijuana, but isn’t Marijuana legal?
Yes and No. Even though it is legal, employers can still test for it, just like alcohol. Anyone in safety sensitive positions is still subject to marijuana prohibitions set by the employer.
Under 21? Marijuana cannot be used at all, even recreationally.
Federally regulated positions, (railroad workers, commercial drivers, pipeline workers, certain airline workers) cannot use recreational or medicinal marijuana.
What if I have a medical use for marijuana – will that be acceptable in a DOT situation?
NO! Marijuana is still considered illegal by the Federal Government. If you work in any DOT position, regulated by the Federal Government, your “medical use” will not matter. You will still be positive and will be removed from your job, be referred to a substance abuse program, and could potentially be terminated from your employment.
What if someone near me was smoking marijuana? Could I test positive from second-hand smoke?
No. There is a minimum level required before a test is considered positive and second-hand smoke will not generally provide a dose adequate enough to test positive.
Will my medication cause me to fail a test?
All non-negative results are reviewed by a doctor called a Medical Review Officer. This doctor will call you and ask about your medications. Your prescriptions are then verified.
We, as a collection site, cannot take your prescription medication information and send it to the lab or the MRO before the substances are found in your specimen. You have to wait until they are found, and the MRO calls you.
What happens if a donor is caught trying to adulterate their test?
Any DOT test, the donor has to provide a 2nd collection under direct observation with a same-gendered observer. Refusal to do so is considered the same as a positive test. Non-DOT employers get called and they refer to their drug and alcohol testing policy.
What happens if a donor refuses a drug or alcohol test?
Refusing to test in most cases would be considered a positive. In some cases, you could be terminated. In DOT regulated tests, you will be removed from duty and be referred to a substance abuse program. DOT employees may not return to work for any DOT regulated job until completing the program. Non-DOT employees’ consequences are determined by the company drug and alcohol policy.
What security measures are in place to ensure specimens are not tampered with?
From start to finish (sealing in tamper evident bag), donors watch and are present during the entire process, and the specimen is never out of the donors’ sight. All steps are thoroughly documented. The collection space is secure, personal belongings are locked inside collection rooms and are not allowed into the bathrooms. The donor picks their own supplies, which are sealed and only opened in front of the donors. Specimens are sealed with tamper evident seals in front of the donor and initialed by the donor. The specimen bags are also sealed in front of the donor.
Can I be selected for a random test multiple times in the same year?
Yes. Every employee in the selection pool has an equal chance of being selected every time.
