Legalization Of The "Devil's Weed"

We’ve had this discussion where I work ad nauseum. Obviously those who use want to believe that legalization will change the landscape. The truth is, as far as work related issues, nothing will change. What you have to understand is that DOT testing and regulations are the MINIMUM hurdle. How many companies test above that level for pre-hire and post incident, by using hair follicle and other methods? Most? All? And why do they do that- because their insurance carriers require it. And do the insurance carriers care about “fair” testing for “level of impairment”? Not one damn bit. Because if you drive with any detectable level of a substance known to cause impairment, and cause or even get caught in an accident or serious incident, some attorney will grab hold of that and make someone - the insurance carrier - pay. So it’s simple really - if you chose to put yourself in the position of being a liability, you will be invited to work somewhere else. Assuming somewhere else will still hire you. And sure, someone could spend millions researching and validating “impairment level”, but whose paying for that? The insurance industry? Lol - no. Why would they? They already have a standard of performance - zero. So legal or not, there won’t be an “acceptable” level any time soon.

Gregg

Can’t measure it so ban it. How hard is that?

Today’s weed is not your Mom’s.

Https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-votes-decriminalize-marijuana

And so it continues. I was sitting back reflecting on where we were in the 70s versus now. What a massive change in political and societal attitudes towards marijuana.

I wonder where this is going to end up in regards to safety sensitive positions, the DOT and some other entities that are concerned about impaired workers. There isn't a way to determine "impairment" yet with THC in the same way you would with alcohol. Just subjective testing. I think it is going to be interesting watching what evolves as we discuss and legislate this issue as a society.

I can't see it being any more harmful than alcohol. In some cases, probably much less harmful depending on the circumstances surrounding the usage. However, we have our current laws and those who choose not to follow them place themselves at risk for sanction. Still on the fence about usage in safety sensitive positions because of the determination of impairment issue and the lack of hard data showing what happens after......for example.......a workday after casual usage the previous evening. We are pretty clear on the effects of alcohol both short and long term.

Your thoughts?

This, upcoming 'legislation' will even add MORE to the 'no' factor, ad nauseum!

Oral Fluid Testing for Drugs & Alcohol

Again, thoughts ?!?!? (None of this is pertinent in 'our' home, but . . . sure could be, somewhere!)

~ Anne ~

Oral fluid testing sounds like a good thing tbh

We’ve had this discussion where I work ad nauseum. Obviously those who use want to believe that legalization will change the landscape. The truth is, as far as work related issues, nothing will change. What you have to understand is that DOT testing and regulations are the MINIMUM hurdle. How many companies test above that level for pre-hire and post incident, by using hair follicle and other methods? Most? All? And why do they do that- because their insurance carriers require it. And do the insurance carriers care about “fair” testing for “level of impairment”? Not one damn bit. Because if you drive with any detectable level of a substance known to cause impairment, and cause or even get caught in an accident or serious incident, some attorney will grab hold of that and make someone - the insurance carrier - pay. So it’s simple really - if you chose to put yourself in the position of being a liability, you will be invited to work somewhere else. Assuming somewhere else will still hire you. And sure, someone could spend millions researching and validating “impairment level”, but whose paying for that? The insurance industry? Lol - no. Why would they? They already have a standard of performance - zero. So legal or not, there won’t be an “acceptable” level any time soon.

Gregg

Can’t measure it so ban it. How hard is that?

Today’s weed is not your Mom’s.

Https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-votes-decriminalize-marijuana

And so it continues. I was sitting back reflecting on where we were in the 70s versus now. What a massive change in political and societal attitudes towards marijuana.

I wonder where this is going to end up in regards to safety sensitive positions, the DOT and some other entities that are concerned about impaired workers. There isn't a way to determine "impairment" yet with THC in the same way you would with alcohol. Just subjective testing. I think it is going to be interesting watching what evolves as we discuss and legislate this issue as a society.

I can't see it being any more harmful than alcohol. In some cases, probably much less harmful depending on the circumstances surrounding the usage. However, we have our current laws and those who choose not to follow them place themselves at risk for sanction. Still on the fence about usage in safety sensitive positions because of the determination of impairment issue and the lack of hard data showing what happens after......for example.......a workday after casual usage the previous evening. We are pretty clear on the effects of alcohol both short and long term.

Your thoughts?

This, upcoming 'legislation' will even add MORE to the 'no' factor, ad nauseum!

Oral Fluid Testing for Drugs & Alcohol

Again, thoughts ?!?!? (None of this is pertinent in 'our' home, but . . . sure could be, somewhere!)

~ Anne ~

I agree that it won't be legal for drivers anytime soon. Probably not til long after we are all gone. But I will say I agree with banks on this. I would love to see a more accurate test than the current one, because that is the only way I see the current regulations easing up would be if there was a test to accurately determine the last time it was used. If they can make one and you can prove the last time you smoked was on your hometime, then even the insurance companies would have a hard time disputing it.

Agreed 100%. That's unresponsible and dangerous.

I think operating an 80,000 lb semi and smoking weed should never be mixed.

Here are some facts based on recent first hand experience with cannabis. First off, I still advocate for it for people who have a medicinal need for it or even recreationally where legal as long as people aren't stupid with it and stay home.

I am waiting 5-6 months to enter the trucking industry just to get it out of my system by doing infrared sauna sweats, Vitamin C, Garlic and other natural means after using it nightly for over 3 years to manage back pain from years ago and stayed on it due to stress from being in the mortgage business (YES I know trucking will be a whole new set of stresses which is why I ditched cannabis AND alcohol back in October so I can face stress head on with a clear head in my own life now AND a lot more in spring when I get my trucking career started unless another unlikely at home job lands in my lap). There was a recent thread where Old School recommended 1 year clean which is VERY SOLID advice. For myself 5-6 months should work as I did not use obscene amounts and I have a very fast metabolism and hardly any body fat. Before I apply at the carrier of my choice (which does the hair test) in March/April, I am driving to Milwaukee to get a private party hair follicle test for $100 to ensure I am clear so I don't detonate my career right of the bat at orientation.

With that said HERE IS MY POINT....in detoxing just 2-3 weeks, my cognitive senses fully returned. So the ultimate question is, can you allow commercial drivers to use it at all? Absolutely not! It DOES have a lingering adverse effect on your cognitive function, makes you sleep a lot more, and can dull your motivation and senses substantially for days even in moderate amounts. As far as comparing it to slamming a six pack that is an apples to oranges comparison as alcohol flushes from your system quickly. I've drank six packs, 12 packs, 1/2 bottle of 90 proof single malt scotch, you name it, and no alcoholic beverage has ever made me see the carpet in my house wave like fields of barley, the Weather App on my phone operate in 3D, made the house feel like it was orbiting the earth, or made me talk to a dehumidifier about eastern world philosophy. Case to point, THC has mind altering effects. It's legal in my state and I still have it for my wife as she has chronic pain. I am done until I would surrender my (future) CDL and not one day sooner. Frankly, I may never go back to it as I feel better physically and mentally than I have in decades without it for 45 days.

Again as a strong advocate for Cannabis, no way the DOT should EVER allow it. Too much attention required to safely operate a CMV. While I haven't driven one yet, this common sense is not industry specific.

Taking a few hits or smoking a j, you'll not be high the next day - just like moderate drinking - seems to me you're more likely to be effected by a hangover from drinking the next day as opposed to smoking weed. That said legalizing weed will still come down to company policy, same with me not being allowed to take my prescribed medication for ADD with the lame company I have to work for until I get enough experience to move on to a better company - I don't say they're lame due to the medication issue, more of bad faith on their part from day one: having still not been pad for several runs, not telling me I lose per diem by accepting a "promotion" to a dedicated account, as well as not telling me I'd be losing my sign-on bonus by accepting said promotion for .20 more a mile - man did they win out on that one - I have a widget on my phone counting down the days until I hit nine months and can move on. Anyway, back on topic - always been a big fan of the weed, just can't partake due to having to drive.

They don't teach drug education in school anymore.

Pot is a gateway drug and hallucinogen. The 1960's hippies said it was no big deal. Now that we have so many people who accept and use it pot.... So many places that legalized it.... Our country is now over run with drug addicts and homeless. Not one city in America is escaping the drug and homeless problem.

Lol for real... That's some real mythical weed right there. I did try humidity bags which actually kept them fresh for a while.

Lol @ topic, yeah NOW I could get high as f*%k there's weed in big bags I been told stored here for some friend of buddies, who don't want their 19 yr old girl to find n use it lol Then WHY buy it at all? I jokingly asked my bud n his wife "Ok so where is this mythical weed?" It's gotta be dried out like crazy after a year+ stored away.....

Yet, I'm NOT even temped to smoke any of this stuff I've only heard of, not seen lol Got over all that in high school @ 17

If you drive in Colorado regularly, you'll notice the effects of potheads. Just complete idiots that drive excruciatingly slow.

There is evidence that the rate of accidents and injuries increased dramatically while the speed and flow of traffic decreased dramatically with the legalization of it in the state.

What we need is more Red Foreman from that 70s show.

If you drive in Colorado regularly, you'll notice the effects of potheads. Just complete idiots that drive excruciatingly slow.

Except around Denver. I did not go one single day out there last year where I did not have a four wheeler fly by at greater than 100 MPH.