How to Pass Drug Test for a New Job if You Are a Cannabis User

• Most employers use urine or saliva testing to detect cannabis use in prospective and current employees.
• Occasional users typically only need to abstain for a few days to provide an undetectable result, but frequent users will need to wait longer for cannabis metabolites to completely leave their systems.
• There are a few alternatives to trying to thwart a drug test—you could have an open conversation with your employer about your cannabis use or consider seeking employment with a more open-minded company.

You visited a medical marijuana physician, applied to your state’s medical card program, visited a local dispensaries or pharmacy, and started your medical cannabis treatment—and now a prospective employer says you’ll have to pass a drug test before you can start working. What now?

While an increasing number of employers are phasing out pre-employment marijuana testing, this isn’t true of all employers. And, unfortunately, thwarting a cannabis lab test can be a tall order for therapeutic users. If you’re looking to pass a drug test and secure that new job, one of your only options is abstinence.

However, this guide will touch on all of patients’ available options for passing a drug test; we’ll also touch on what to do if you’re confident that you won’t pass one.

How Cannabis Tests Work

There are a few different types of cannabis tests available on today’s testing market:

• Urine tests – One of the most common methods (especially for employers), urine testing is a relatively accurate, simple, and affordable test that detects THC metabolites (specifically THC-COOH).
• Saliva tests – Typically performed using a cheek swab, saliva tests offer swift results and are usually used to detect cannabis use within the last 48 hours. However, they’re widely considered to be less accurate than urine and blood tests.
• Blood tests – Blood tests are highly reliable, but they’re often paired with urine tests for enhanced accuracy. Like urine tests, blood tests assess the concentration of THC-COOH in the body.
• Hair tests – Hair follicle tests can reveal the presence of multiple compounds (from cannabis to cocaine). While they’re more commonly used for home testing than pre-employment testing, you might still encounter one in a job-related drug screening. And, if you’re bald, you might still be eligible for this test—scientists can collect follicles from the armpit or face.

There is rampant misinformation online about how long each test can detect cannabis in the body—and clinical evidence about the longevity of detection is somewhat inconclusive too. Experts generally agree that, the more often you use cannabis, the longer metabolites will remain in your system.

Passing a Drug Test for a New Job

With the above in mind, what can you do to pass a drug test before starting work? Let’s break down a few tips for occasional and frequent users.

Occasional Users

If you use cannabis very occasionally, you’re in luck—metabolites will likely leave your system more quickly than they do for chronic users. This means that you won’t have to abstain for long.

According to one medical source, urine tests reveal positive results on the following timelines based on use frequency:

• One-time use – Up to three days after last dose
• Moderate use (four times per week) – Five to seven days after last dose
• Once-daily use – Ten to fifteen days after last dose
• Use multiple times each day – Up to thirty days after last dose

Since THC and other cannabinoids typically leave the bloodstream and saliva within 48 hours, patients facing these kinds of tests typically only need to abstain for a few days to achieve a negative test.

While hair tests aren’t commonly used for pre-employment drug screenings, they unfortunately can detect cannabis use for multiple months—even if you’re an infrequent user.

Nevertheless, for infrequent or occasional cannabis users, abstinence is typically a simple, reliable way to pass a drug test before starting a new job.

Frequent Users

If you take one or more doses of cannabis each day (or use cannabis multiple times per week), you’ll have a harder time using the abstinence method. Since you’ll have to wait longer for cannabinoids and their metabolites to leave your system, you may not have enough time to abstain before testing.

One option you’ve likely considered is synthetic urine—a liquid product made from urine compounds. There are a few factors to consider before taking this route:

• Some products are effective – Depending on the formula, many synthetic urine products can provide negative, valid results for people facing urine drug screenings.
• Temperature matters – While some synthetic urine products are sold with heat packs to bring the solution up to body temperature, this isn’t always the case. Since urine screenings use temperature to assess sample validity, you’ll need to make sure your product falls within the 90-100 °F range.
• This could be unlawful – Depending on your prospective employer, testing agency, and state, you could potentially face legal consequences if you’re caught falsifying a drug screening. As always, we encourage readers and patients to follow their jurisdiction’s laws to the letter.

In short, if you’re a medical cannabis user dosing daily, it may be more difficult to pass a drug test.

Alternatives to Passing a Drug Test

If you’re a frequent user who doesn’t feel confident about passing a drug test—or an occasional user who can’t abstain for medical reasons—how should you proceed? Let’s touch on two options.

Communicate with Your Prospective Employer

If you live in a state with medical or recreational cannabis legalization, consider disclosing your use to your potential employer. While you may not be exempt from pre-employment drug testing, you may be able to secure an exception for any positive cannabis results.

However, you shouldn’t expect to be granted leniency without discussing your circumstances before the test. We’ll discuss some potential conversation points in a later section.

If your employer insists on drug screening even for medical cannabis patients, consider asking them to postpone the test to give you time to abstain. While this might mean waiting longer to start working, patience may pay off in the long run.

Consider a Different Job

If your employer simply won’t budge (or if you’re using cannabis unlawfully), you may have to consider different employment options. While this is an incredibly frustrating prospect (especially for people using cannabis therapeutically), it’s not impossible to get a job during medical cannabis treatment.

For more information about seeking employment as a medical marijuana patient, check out our guides for:

• Teachers
• Government workers, including:
  • Law enforcement officers
  • First responders
  • Elected officials
• Military personnel

Tips for Talking to Prospective Employers About Medical Cannabis

How should you proceed if you choose to talk to your potential employer about your cannabis treatment? Here are a few tips for a successful, productive conversation:

• Start the conversation early – If you’re not planning on stopping your medical cannabis treatment to accommodate your new job or attempt to pass a drug test, consider bringing up your treatment as soon as possible in the process—during your interview, for instance. While you can elaborate on your treatment course and medical need if you wish, you don’t need to divulge any details you’re not comfortable sharing.
• Explain state legality – If medical cannabis is legal in your state, prepare to explain this to prospective employers. Come prepared to explain the process for obtaining medical marijuana access, and consider brushing up on a brief history of legalization in your jurisdiction. While you don’t need to start conversations on the defensive, your prospective employer simply might not know how the process works.
• Describe your treatment process – While you don’t have to disclose information about your diagnosis, your employer will likely want to know how you use cannabis in your day-to-day life. If you’re only using cannabis after working hours are over (or only using non-intoxicating CBD products before clocking in), this may set your employer at ease.
• Don’t press if they’re unwilling to change their position – You simply may not be a good fit for an employer that doesn’t understand or accept medical cannabis—even if it’s legal in your state. You’re unlikely to change their mind (or improve your chances of securing a job) during one interview. If you can’t come to an agreement, respectfully move on and pursue other options.

Connect with Cannabis Healthcare Providers at TeleLeaf

While the tides are changing—states continue to legalize medical cannabis and research on therapeutic applications is only growing—it can still be difficult to find work during your medical cannabis journey.

But you don’t have to face the challenges of plant-based marijuana treatment alone. Instead, turn to TeleLeaf: your source for cannabis-friendly medical care. We connect patients with the expert healthcare providers they need to get their medical cards, curate a treatment program, and heal with medical cannabis.

Ready to unlock the power of medical marijuana? Make an appointment with our licensed clinicians now.

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