Hair Follicle Drug Test Question

I do not (normally) smoke weed, but my mom does religiously. I had some in Thanksgiving. My biggest concern is that every time I go see my mom (which I'm not anymore for now) I'm always walking into a cloud of job-ruining THC. How does the follicle test work? Can they tell that I'm not the one smoking it or if they detect it regardless if I used it, will they fail me?

I have no idea how sensitive the hair follicle test or a urinalysis may be when it comes to secondhand smoke but I don't think I would take any chances. One failed drug test and that's it for trucking. You have to go through a rehab program and no one is going to want to hire you for years so be careful.

We do have a ton of information on drug testing but I don't know if any of it will shine a light on this particular question or not:

• Trucker's Wiki: Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
• Trucker's Wiki: DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
• Forum Topics Tagged "Drug And Alcohol Testing"

The opinion of most - is that "second hand smoke" is not going to test you positive.

The smoke itself, doesn't "attach itself" to the surface of your hair. What is tested, is metabolites that are excreted into the hair shaft as it grows.

Unless you're spending extensive periods of time in a room with "Cheech & Chong/Fast Times At Ridgemont High" smoke densities, you are unlikely to test positive on either a urine or hair.

The ONE WAY TO FIND OUT - go get both tests ON YOUR OWN - and see if you're hot or not.

Rick

As far as puffing over thanksgiving goes...

The hair test uses (or is supposed to use) the first couple of inches from the follicle - which accounts for 90-120 days of hair growth (and drug use).

Common wisdom says a 6 month window since last use is safe.

But as I mentioned previously - investing in a self-paid test, will tell you whether you're clear or not.

As Brett mentioned - a positive test at orientation, is basically a CAREER KILLER. If you even REMOTELY SUSPECT you may have an issue, the $$ invested in getting tested BEFOREHAND may be a sound investment.

Rick

I honestly do not have the cash in hand to get myself a drug test on my own. But I did call CR England and asked them about it. They said they have had employees in the same situation, they can tell whether or not it is being used if it is on the inside or outside of the hair sample so I should have nothing to worry about. *WHEW!*

According to The Cannibist, second-hand smoke will not throw a positive hair test (and they asked Quest - the largest testing lab in the country).

And if you "only puffed once" over Turkey Day, then you won't test positive either (from the same linked article).

It gets a little "weird" here - as most folks that "claim" once-or-twice use, puff like rastafarians (and I'm not accusing YOU here, just that most folks that ask tend to to be daily puffers).

I have nothing against weed myself - smoked a ton of it back in the day (clean and sober 15+ years now). It's not even a morality play - but a LEGALITY ONE.

And even if the WH got up in the morning and "executive ordered" weed off the criminal list - it would likely take a LONG TIME (if ever) for it to be "excusable" on a "Safety Sensitive Job" drug test (ie: DOT).

Also keep in mind - the Fed de-crim'ing weed, doesn't mean the states HAVE TO (as evidenced by "alcohol dry counties" that still exist in certain states).

I would venture from the article above, that if you "puffed once" in November, and don't have to worry about 2nd hand smoke - you should be good to go.

I'm going in for major hernia surgery next week - and will probably have to explain the morphine and pain meds I'll be on for a bit. And I will ask my doc to give me a letter specifically spelling out the procedure, what drugs were used and prescribed and that I am clear to return to unrestricted duty once I'm all healed up.

Rick