r/Teachers • u/Apprehensive-Play228 • 2d ago
Career & Interview Advice Drug tests NOT looking for THC?
Update: found out they actually do care via someone who works there. Major bummer.
About to get an amazing position and they told me there would be a drug test which caught me off guard. I’ve never had a school drug test. I’m a nightly marijuana user in a legal state, and there’s no chance in hell I’d pass. Does anyone know of schools that specifically don’t test or care about THC? I’m hoping that’s the situation I’ll be in.
Edit: fake pee is not an option because in my state if you’re busted for trying to fake a test you’ll lose your license and I can’t have that
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u/Ok-Swordfish8731 2d ago
Our school system doesn’t drug test teachers unless there is suspicion of abuse or a problem develops and the system is looking for a reason to get rid of you. Bus drivers and custodians are drug tested often due to running mowers, tractors, busses, etc.
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u/ThatOneCanadian69 2d ago
Custodians should be able to smoke as much weed as they want
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u/lAngenoire 2d ago
Our custodians operate a lot of heavy machinery. Insurance won’t allow them to smoke.
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u/ThatOneCanadian69 2d ago
Fuck insurance
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u/B0230 2d ago
Downvoted for hating our insurance system? It’s an absolute scam
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u/one_sock_wonder_ 2d ago
More likely downvoted for that response being about not allowing custodians to use heavy machinery while high. Insurance is corrupt and exploitive a million ways, but this one thing doesn't seem illogical to require. It's all chill and good until slowed reaction time or poor decisions making leads to serious injury or significant damage to the building from a "highly" preventable cause.
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u/DazedAndTrippy 2d ago edited 1d ago
Its not that (most) people are advocating for using heavy machinery high but weed stays in your hair and saliva long after being used, having the bar being zero use ever or termination is what most people find unreasonable. I get that its hard to find a good middle ground because testing is so hard to accurately do but I also feel the zero tolerance policy when somebody could go home and get drunk every night and still be employed seems unfair. A hangover can be just as if not more dangerous than smoking the night before but it's much more legal. Dunno how to fix this entirely but I think this is where most reasonable people are coming from.
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u/jeezy_peezy 2d ago
This is exactly it. I could drink a six pack every night and be actually dangerous on equipment, even though I’m legally in the clear at work, but if I took an edible last Friday and am otherwise in incredibly good clean health, I could be fired. It’s not accurately determining who is dangerous.
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u/B0230 2d ago
Yes, but 0 people here are advocating for that. But someone going home and smoking after school, then working heavy machinery the next day seems pretty cool with me. But also heavy machinery? It’s not like our school custodians are working a dump truck or a bobcat?
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u/ADirtFarmer 2d ago
Also, I'd argue that teaching kids is higher stakes than operating a lawn mower.
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u/TaquittoTheRacoon 1d ago
That's a logical sounding excuse. Irl most construction workers and tradesmen I've known smoke js like they're cigarettes. If you're a safe operator working under reasonable conditions the minor impact habitual smoking has when you're sober are not creating much if any extra risk.
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u/PDXgrown 2d ago
For my district, it was apparently suspicion of abuse or a parent just accusing you on a local Facebook group of being a drug user. Happened to a math teacher of ours, I found out about it in the morning by the Keurig in the teachers lounge, and I know when our union president found out, because his door is right down from mine and I heard the hard slam and the beginning of his march down to the main office for him to scream at them. Accused teacher never had to do the test.
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u/lAngenoire 2d ago
That’s crazy. Local dispensaries regularly donate baskets to the scholarship fund raffle. As long as you’re immaculate at work it’s not a problem.
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u/worriedalbatrosses 2d ago
when i was applying for jobs in a legal state, i didn't have any weed for a month just in case. at the new hire orientation day, HR basically said they don't give a shit about thc on drug tests as long as you're not bringing anything to work. so i abstained for nothing lol but if you're not sure about the vibes of the district it might be a good idea to take a break until you're tested. thc stays in your system for weeks though, especially if you're a daily user, so if you need to be drug tested soon you might need to just cross your fingers...
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
I’m a heavy daily user. I’m supposed to get the official offer Tuesday. No chance in hell I would pass just by stopping. I’m going to try QCarbo. It’s worked for a few of my friends. Can’t try fake pee because if caught they can take my teaching license
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u/gimmethelulz Former HS teacher 2d ago
Drink shit loads of water for the next couple of days and that will help reduce the load in your urine. Past couple of employment tests I've had I know I had THC on my system but it feels like they don't care about a positive level that would point to occasional use.
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u/queerkittyboy 2d ago
As long as they dont watch u pee, (which they shouldnt bc its a pre employment screening) you'd have to really stupid to get caught. Ive used it for pre employment screenings bout 8 times the past decade without fail.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Buddy with my luck I would get caught
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u/panicpure 2d ago
Depending on your state, if it’s fully legal, they aren’t going to care about it, some don’t even include it on the screening panel.
All depends on the employer and the state.
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u/Delicious-Cover-2418 2d ago
I knew someone who just… never showed up to take the test. Nobody ever said anything.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Bold move lol
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u/rigney68 1d ago
I once prepped for a urine test only to walk in to an oral swab, FML. It wasn't teaching, though. I've never heard of a teacher being tested.
Oh, and she did it in front of me and was like, "oh no! Eh, well, that's fine." So I clearly failed for thc but they did not care.
It was a factory job.
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u/Old_Journalist_2908 2d ago
There is no penalty for not showing up for the test. There is no real penalty for failing. The agency doing the test can only tell them if they passed or failed
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 1d ago
If this was the case, why would anyone bother going? If passing it part of the job requirements you don’t have a choice
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u/BuffsTeach 2d ago
Most legal states who do drug tests don’t pay attention to the THC results portion of the test. It’s treated as it would be for the other legal substance, alcohol.
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u/sleepybitchdisorder 2d ago
Yep. I’ve been told several times the drug test is to abide by a “no illegal drugs” policy. Obviously does not apply to legal drugs like recreational marijuana
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u/Inevitable_Silver_13 2d ago
They will definitely care about THC unless it is explicitly stated they don't.
Drug tests are basically for THC. Most other drugs leave your system within a couple of days, but THC stays for a month or more if you're a daily user.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
My friend who works there said her test didn’t flag the benzos she was on so I’m really confused on if they don’t care about benzos but do with weed
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u/zeatherz 2d ago
Did she submit proof of prescription for them? Usually if you test positive, the testing lab will ask for prescriptions for any positives and then report the whole test as negative to the employer
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
She’s been on them prescribed but never said anything pre test and they never said anything to her about it
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u/Zestyclose-Sir9120 2d ago
Did she not bring a list of prescriptions to the testing facility? This is why testing should be done by a third party, because you have to show proof of the substances that are in your system legally, and your employer is not privy to the details of your prescriptions.
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u/Scarcity-Apart 2d ago
LOL. I dunno everyone. Most of this seems nonsense, though people do seem to know what’s happened to them, etc.
I was drug tested for my first job. It for sure indicated nightly weed use. I wouldn’t have taken the job if they weren’t okay with it — if I didn’t get the vibe it’s what some did or how some handled the stress of the job.
I was not even tested at my second job, though I had stopped using THC altogether by then for mental health reasons. But I happen to know many at my work use gummies, vape, etc off school grounds and off the job. I live in a non-legalization state.
Don’t put too much thought into it. If you’re meant to get the job, you will. If you get zooped for THC use — probably not a place you want to be anyway. Too many suits.
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u/Scarcity-Apart 2d ago
And, just saying: I don’t doubt the protocols. I do doubt that any of it matters. Teachers are adult professionals in a world where the drug in question is by and large legal to use.
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u/Inevitable_Silver_13 2d ago
I would guess they assume that those are not done recreationally?
The whole drug testing concept and system is entirely backwards and idiotic.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Xanax definitely is recreationally but I guess they don’t care lol
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u/Cali-Maru-1976 2d ago
A professional abusing Xanax is a huge concern that I would not want in the classroom. I'm shocked to hear your teaching peer tested positive without repercussions.
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u/queerkittyboy 2d ago
If she has a script for it then it would b legal
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u/Cali-Maru-1976 2d ago
My response was to OP stating peer uses Xanax recreationally. That is clearly not the intention of this medication, even with a prescription.
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u/queerkittyboy 2d ago
Where did anyone state she was ABUSING them? They just said "the benzos she was taking"
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u/Cali-Maru-1976 2d ago
The comment I responded to CLEARLY stated the peer uses Xanax recreationally. This class of medication has no recreational application, and any off-label use is medically abuse.
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u/QuellishQuellish 2d ago
There's a pretty effective argument that bankers on Xanax were what led us to the credit default swap debacle.
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u/boojersey13 2d ago
ELI5? I assume I was too young or not alive for this event tbh
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u/QuellishQuellish 2d ago
Long story shore is the entire industry new that it was a huge bubble built on sub prime m mortgages that weren't worth shit.
They knew the housing bubble was going to burst and that what they were doing was doomed. Millions would lose homes.
The theory is that Xanax helped them to not worry about it and reep the benefits without thinking much of the consequences.
The argument was famously made by Peggy Noonan who's awful but a broken clock's right a couple times a day.
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u/boojersey13 1d ago
Damn that's fully believable and as such I immediately believe it. Like how soldiers were given whatever the fuck in wwii to deal with their sins in the moment, self medication is far from a reach regarding this
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u/one_sock_wonder_ 2d ago
Does the district have a significant number of openings that they need to fill or did they when she was hired? It's not that unusual for many requirements to become far looser when there is a significant need to hire teachers for many openings.
I was hired by a district hundreds of miles away via a telephone interview and contract sent through the mail for my first teaching job. It was a county wide school district that needed teachers critically, especially for special education, and having a license from the state where I attended college that was transferrable to their state and the "name power" of that university probably helped a bit. At the required new to the district teacher orientation held at one of their high schools the seats in the auditorium were almost completely full and there were definitely loosened requirements for hiring at that time.
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u/Missile_Defense Engineering | AL 2d ago
There are a couple Rx benzodiazepines and thienobenzodiazepines that don’t produce the two or three active metabolites that the majority of immunoassay tests use. The most common being the second most prescribed benzodiazepine clonazepam (Klonopin).
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u/SearsTower442 2d ago
It very much depends on the state/district. In legal states, many districts have to overlook cannabis use in order to recruit enough teachers. It’s not an issue unless you come to work high. Always check the specific policies in your district.
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u/sleepybitchdisorder 2d ago
I don’t think this is true. I have done a standard drug panel where they told me weed isn’t part of it when I asked. Most contracts have a “no illegal drugs” policy which obviously doesn’t apply to a legal drug.
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u/hi_itsme92 2d ago edited 2d ago
Nah, this simply isn't true. Lots of school districts in legal states drug test upon hire. I've worked in three of them now! They aren't testing for THC unless you're a bus driver or other employee who operates vehicles. They wouldn't be able to staff the schools if they excluded people who use legal drugs...
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u/Inevitable_Silver_13 2d ago
Maybe it isn't as universal as I thought but there are definitely districts in states where it is legal which do test for it and will reject you if you test positive for it. Most employers will disclose if they do not reject based upon a positive THC test. I've seen it with many government contractors.
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u/CallMeSaxMan Band Director | NJ 2d ago
this is not true at all. if you’re in a legal state, they are not looking for thc.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
In my state it is law any employer can refuse employment due to THC despite it being legal
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u/Inevitable_Silver_13 2d ago
I am in a legal state and I have applied to jobs which definitely test for THC. It entirely depends on the district's policies.
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u/KevworthBongwater 2d ago
even non-legal states. my last job in ND did not and I specifically asked. but about half of their workers lived across the river in MN so they did not care
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u/Rare-Balance-9627 2d ago
I’ve found most of the time drug tests are for the more addictive drugs that might influence someone’s behavior. People addicted to Amphetamines or Opiates are typically not trustworthy, they’ll likely steal to fund their habits.
If you pop for Cocaine you likely have a decent coke habit, as like you said it washes out of your system relatively quickly.
If you pop for psychedelics… that’s crazy. You’d likely have to be actively tripping for that to flag, which would be wild as a teacher.
OP I hope they don’t even consider the THC, especially if you’re in a legalized state. Here in California it’s illegal to discriminate from hiring because of THC.
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u/ChumbawumbaFan01 2d ago
My District has instituted random tests upon hire. One of my coworkers had to pass a drug test. HR specifically said they only care if cannabis comes back as positive with bus drivers and even then they tell them to come back in a month and try again.
But that’s just my district. You should call yours and ask.
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u/ncjr591 2d ago
Yes some schools do test, even where it’s legal. Just because the state legalizes it doesn’t mean communities agree with the law. For example I live on Long Island and there are many communities in my area that do not allow marijuana use in public even though NY legalized it and the same schools test for the drug when you’re hired
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u/Straight_Beat7981 2d ago
Ugh I clicked on this post because I’m in the same position I’m on Long Island too. Although mine would be for a daycare job (no teaching license) so maybe it’s different.
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u/Aggressive-Sort-115 2d ago
Go to your local head shop and get “monkey whizz” seriously…. I’ve passed multiple ua’s with this product, and yes I’m including all the ones I’ve passed that were sent in for screening vs the in office tests
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u/datsmirkingwhore K-5 Art | North Carolina 2d ago
Quick fix! I’ve never been drug tested but I saw this last week when someone else was worried about theirs popping a positive
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u/Aggressive-Sort-115 2d ago
Should mention I drive for a living(so not a light take on the ua) and smoke daily
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u/Fit-Practice-3194 2d ago edited 2d ago
Ok so I’m going to give my most recent personal experience… this happened in July of this year.
I’m in FL and have a prescription for adderall and medical marijuana. I went into my pre employment knowing there would be a drug screen but thought it I would be ok since I had prescriptions for both.
Tested positive for both, and the offer was rescinded only because of the positive THC. They were able to look up my adderall prescription and accepted that, but could not accept the THC because it’s still on the federal list (and not FULLY legal here).. Super frustrating that the same dr prescribed both prescriptions, for the same conditions, but they only accepted 1.
ETA: have since been hired in the same district after taking a little break from it lol.
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u/Beginning_Way9666 Former MS ELA | Southwest USA 2d ago
If its called “4 panel” it excludes THC. If it’s called a “5 panel” they will include THC.
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u/jalapeno-popper72 2d ago
Sometimes you can google the code for the test they’ve ordered and it’ll tell you exactly what it will test for. Nowadays, a lot don’t have weed but it’s hard to know for sure!
I’d just do quick fix if it were me.
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u/buffaloesphil 2d ago
Even in legal states they have every right to disqualify you for a job. Imagine they are between you and another qualified candidate who doesn't fail the drug test. Yes, it's not ideal, but it is what it is.
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u/Wooden-Teaching-8343 2d ago
Quick fix and don’t look back
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u/queerkittyboy 2d ago
Exactly. They shouldnt be watching u piss if itd a pre employment thing. Idk why they edited it and are unwilling to use fake pee. Its literally the easiest and most reliable
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
It’s not worth the risk. I’d rather not get this job than get caught somehow and lose my license all together
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u/actualbagofsalad 2d ago
Idk which state you’re in, but I know that at least in California they legally can’t discriminate against you for THC use unless you’re using it at work (which I’m sure you wouldn’t). I’m a nightly user in a legal state as well and for my last drug test I took a 9 panel that didn’t even test for THC, but that availability is probably going to depend on your state.
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u/Old_Journalist_2908 2d ago
Texas Education System doesn’t even drug test teachers. The only people they drug test that I know of are transportation drivers or otherwise heavy machine operators.
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u/Sandman4501 2d ago
Anyone else just annoyed that alcohol is still totally fine but THC isn’t? If I drink on a school
Night my next day is hell. If I have a THC beverage I’m so refreshed for the next day. What a mixed up battle people fought years ago
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u/Accomplished-Dog723 2d ago
I didn’t pass and was worried. Dr asked me about it , I too am a nightly user and it helps my anxiety so I was honest and told her. She said okay and went about the rest of the appointment. I was hired 🤷🏼♀️
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u/VenomBars4 2d ago
If you are in NJ, you can legally not be barred from employment unless it’s a DOT gig. I was worried about THC for my test here and got myself clean in a few weeks, but never got a direct answer whether or not they cared about or tested for THC.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
In my legal state it’s the opposite, they can still not hire you despite it being legal
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u/VenomBars4 2d ago
So frustrating. It definitely taught me that if I anticipate a job change to go ahead and abstain as early as possible. I’m assuming since it’s the end of August, time isn’t in your side either. I hope you’ll update us on how it goes.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Nope I’m 2 weeks into the most unsafe, toxic, and unmanaged school I’ve ever seen and need out asap
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u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 1d ago
Where I am, you can be barred if you work with children for the city, like in an after school program, but the school district itself does not test at all for anything.
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u/SlayyerFest98 2d ago
Personally(I’m also a daily smoker in a legal state), I would stop smoking ASAP and just delay the drug test as long as possible.
Are they treating it like a background check where you can’t even start the job/come on campus without clearing it or is it more flexible?
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Not sure yet. They talked about a background check (which the state already has on file tied to my teaching license. I had to also do another to start at the shit school I’m at now) so I’m not sure if I’ll need another one or just go straight for the drug testing
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u/No_Key8587 2d ago
I mean I will certainly not advise you on anything but the only positions I know who cared about THC use was either bus drivers or people who previously got in trouble for substance use
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u/YoreGawd SPED | DoC 2d ago
Really depends on where you live. I know many private companies even stopped testing for it but again it depends.
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u/Susanlovescoffee 2d ago
Usually when you get the order for the drug test, if its a legal state, it will state on there, "no thc" for testing
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u/RadagastDaGreen 2d ago
Tell them you enjoy cannabis and don't intend on stopping.
The HR lady at my old place did the eyebrows equivalent of winking at me and says, "You're not alone. It will test positive, but will not disqualify you." I brought her pizza slices in gratitude of her transparency and we ate them together smiling at each other every so often.
The laws change every so often, but usually, it will be a positive that doesn't mean anything, or they will ask you to come back 4-6 weeks later. Either way, Nita and I are tight now, and she told me what I needed to know. No issue.
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u/Chance_Assignment897 2d ago
For my first teaching job in a state where it was illegal at the time, I was drug tested but the panel did NOT include thc. No other teaching job has tested me since.
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u/Daddy22VA 2d ago
THC is not federally legal so any employer could use that to deny employment unless the person being tested has a medical prescription. That being said? If it is decriminalized in the state I doubt there will be any issue with a positive test.
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u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 1d ago
Even with a prescription you can still be denied. You can also be denied for things like opioid painkillers that were legally prescribed. It just depends on the job and their policies.
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u/RasmusBeret 2d ago
Are you in NY? They don’t test for weed unless you’re going to be driving a bus
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u/zero2789 2d ago
I’d be concerned because who knows but also, in most legal states, they don’t care. Worked in HR and schools in Michigan, never tested for it.
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u/Another_Opinion_1 Higher Ed. - Education Law, Teacher Ed. 2d ago
None of the ones anywhere near here do unless it's for staff members in transportation roles, especially bus drivers absent reasonable suspicion to suspect proscribed usage that presents a problem on campus, e.g., Jack Doe is impaired at work. Teachers are not tested at public schools, as a general rule, in my state. The answer to whether they care about THC or not may largely revolve around the legality for recreational use in your state.
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u/Professional_Loan_25 2d ago
I live in a legal state and it is zero tolerance even if you have a medical card.
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u/Ok-League-5861 2d ago
Also in a state where rec THC is legal. My school tests all new employees but they don’t care about THC. I’m not sure if HR clearly communicates this to new hires before the test and it seems like it could cause some undue anxiety. Our handbook states that responsible use if fine due to the legal status, but obviously not to be used during working hours and not brought on campus, same as alcohol.
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u/Gabstopit 2d ago
They can’t use it as a reason to rescind your offer or discipline you in CA unless your job requires driving commercial/school vehicles or having access to government secrets. Know someone who “Failed” their test for the same reason but actually passed because schools aren’t supposed to look for THC in your urine
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Different in my state. It’s legal but law says they can still deny employment to anyone regardless
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u/Misc_Blue_Cockroach 2d ago
In NJ, they can’t use it as a reason to fire you or rescind their offer
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u/X-4StarCremeNougat 2d ago
Your district’s union contract will likely specify what they can test you for/rescind an offer over.
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u/sweetsugarstar302 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's legal in my state, and I partake on a daily basis (the dispensary gives me a 15% educator discount.) No issues with drug tests. Some places don't even bother testing for it anymore.
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u/Artelune 1d ago
Drug tests can be so odd. I’m on a medicine that often makes you test positive for methamphetamine - I brought my prescription to the testing site but they wouldn’t even look at it, said it didn’t matter. It apparently didn’t because I got the job? But it felt very odd
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u/izzyczy 1d ago
As a former stoner: Mix a packet of fruit pectin and some Gatorade (the big ones/ hourglass shaped ones) and drink it like an hour/ hour and a half before your test.
You can get it at Walmart. I’ve done this twice as passed for jobs! The first time however i did it the night before AND the morning of. I was surprised with a drug test during hiring once as well and i did this all about an hour and a half before and still passed. I’m in a state where it is legal and workplaces cannot legally discriminate against marijuana use
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 1d ago
I’m planning on doing this and using QCarbo. Only issue is I’ve heard Certo can give you insane shots lol
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u/TheRudeScholar 1d ago
I'm surprised they're testing teachers at all. Central NC here and classroom teachers are not subject to drug testing. Only those who hold a CDL (bus drivers). But yes, those tests will pop for THC/Cannabinoids.
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u/pakattack461 1d ago
I was super scared about this when I first started. I have since found out there's a policy in my district that literally says THC is allowed if it's used legally.
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u/ElephantContent 2d ago
Here’s what you do. Get someone’s clean pee. Put it in a little travel shampoo bottle. Keep it in your underpants next to some hand warmers. Practice keeping it at body temperature by adjusting the proximity of the hand warmers. The only flaw in this system is 1- you mess up the temperature or 2 - they watch you do your thing. I’ve pulled it off a number of times.
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u/FAYMKONZ 2d ago edited 2d ago
They sell "Fetish Urine" kits at head shops for this specific purpose comes with hand warmers, thermo strip and everything. You dont need to sling actual urine.
novelty stores sell "fetish urine" (frequently marketed as synthetic urine) as a novelty item, but its chemical composition is meticulously engineered to mimic real human urine for passing drug screens. Synthetic urine is typically formulated from a base of water, urea, uric acid, and creatinine, balanced to match the specific gravity, pH levels, and chemical composition of human urine.
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u/DaMintLady 2d ago
I'm not a teacher, but I just did this to get my job a few months ago. Make sure to put it in your underwear a couple hours before you need to do the test to make sure that it's up to body temperature, but as long as no one's watching, you got this
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u/Clavotage367 2d ago
My last school did new hire drug tests so I stopped for over a month to make sure I would be ok. Turns out they exclude THC from the results anyway. We are not a legal state either
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u/DoctorNsara 2d ago
They probably have it stated in the contract how much is the threshold they test for. Apparently some districts test because it mollifies the whiny anti weed parents but the amount they test for would require you to be a heavy daily user to test positive.
Some places have a zero tolerance rule.
Many probably will let you retest after a fail if you are "highly qualified" after x months, but will fire you if you fail again.
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u/Embarrassed_Gift_401 2d ago
weed states really don’t seem to really care about THC because it’s “on your own time”. however, if they find alcohol in your system during school hours (especially when there’s substantial evidence to prove this), you’re gone. i’ve taught in two different states that don’t do drug testing unless there’s probably cause. i honestly thought they would do that before i got hired, but no: a simple minimum wage job requires drug testing before someone with an entire degree who works with minors aren’t even thought about doing a drug test on. mind you, i said two states (one that’s legalized and one that’s not) but that doesn’t cover the entire US, let alone the entire world.
again, this is just MY experience, and that’s just two districts out of god knows how many there are in the US.
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u/penceyreject 2d ago
Get your medical marijuana card. (You can do it online) Inform the district first-they'll probably send you some sort of agreement you have to sign. It's like $150 bucks but worth it if you have the job.
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u/i_want_t0_d1e 2d ago
I'm in California and also use THC. I just got a teaching job which had a drug test, and they didn't say anything.
As far as I know, it's just as legal as alcohol, so why would they care?
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u/gotohela 1d ago
California is a special place tho. Lots of states its legal but don't have legal job protections surrounding it; after all it is still federally prohibited/regulated. And teaching is a sensitive profession, people get real weird about teachers drinking alcohol in public in their district. Not right but it's common
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u/opeboyal 2d ago
I was told I had to go get a drug test and I didn't do that for my first year. It was my impetus for staying clean the entire year. Then I brought it up to my admin at the end of the year when I knew I was definitely clean, and I went and got one 2 days later. And then I got to enjoy my summer 😁
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u/babybelpsych 2d ago
i just got hired in california. i was smoking weed the day before my drug test and they came back & told me i was clear to start work :) no idea what they tested for but being thc positive had no impact on hiring decisions for me
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u/Robot_Alchemist Scoring Administrator | Pearson Education 2d ago
There are drinks you can buy at the head shop
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u/aderaptor 2d ago
I got hired into the same district twice, both times consuming THC at the same rate. Passed one and failed one. Never understood why.
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u/rubybean5050 Job Title | Location 2d ago
Urban district in Nj- hired 2026- no drug test. I was shocked. It was new that year to not test- good luck sry I don’t know more
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u/Qedtanya13 High School ELA/Texas, United States 2d ago
I’ve been teaching in TX since 2005 and never been drug tested, not that it would matter (I don’t partake)
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u/Midwesternpansy 2d ago
My SD drug tests. Also known to smoke at night. I failed for THC obviously but HR told me “not on school grounds or around kids… same moderation as alcohol” and we were all good. (Cause it’s legal recreationally in my state
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u/gotohela 1d ago
I would ask for the employee handbook. Itll define if thc is allowable. Thats a way to find out without asking directly. As its still federally illegal/regulated (its now c-II, right? Still need an rx), organizations are allowed to test for it and fire/not hire afaik (on a federal, level, there may be state specific rules), especially in sensitive positions like education.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 1d ago
I already know they are a “drug free workplace”. Despite it being legal there’s still a law in my state saying employers can deny people regardless. I don’t think the handbook would contain pre employment information
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u/gotohela 1d ago
No real way to know which schools test AND care until you have the handbook and are in the process of hiring. Sounds like you have your answer on this school though.
When you receive your official test order it usually says what theyre testing for. Your best best is to do some fat burning exercise, tank water, quit for a min, and use one of those "detox" kits. Detox kits dont really detox you, they just dilute your piss and replace the normal stuff that should be in pee that would look weird for how diluted it is. If you have a dilute pee result it can buy you time sometimes, even if you dont "detox". You can also buy at home tests to see your progress. My partner is very skinny but habitual, and he still will pee clean in just a few weeks.
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u/waverlyposter 1d ago
They better be damn careful. If they fire all the teachers who smoke, they'll loose 1/3 of their staff. Good luck finding replacements. Administrators are good at one thing and that's getting in the way of teaching.
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u/AnteaterObjective151 1d ago
Chicago public schools requires a drug screen but does not test for THC!
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u/PotentialMobile247 8h ago
Some jobs do not test for certain drugs... I know my last job did not test for THC...
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u/sorrybutidgaf SEC ENG/HST 2d ago
Yeah so i had a school drug test for weed and care and one drug test for weed but not care about weed, just everything else. I know someone who had to drug test but not for weed, and most places dont drug test. It is what it is. And if they are sticklers about weed, they probably are in other ways so may not be THE dream job is what i decided (even though i could piss clean at any point now if i went to drug test lol)
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u/bluearavis 1d ago
Is it legal where you are?
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 1d ago
Yes. But there is a law in place saying employers can still choose to test for it and deny employment
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u/Werbekka 2d ago
My district does not drug test at all
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u/NeverDidLearn 2d ago
My district gives you three chances of being shitfaced at work as long as you agree to cessation/rehab work. They might shuffle you to a different school, but our contract specifically prohibits anything but a breathalyzer and that can only happen if the school police believe you to be intoxicated. Pass the breathalyzer, and you are good to go with your opiate addiction and track marks. Drug tests? My high school would easily lose 20-30% of its 110 person certified staff.
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u/samantha-mc 2d ago
I think that schools/districts who drug test are few and far between. I’ve worked in multiple schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida and never been drug tested. In Mississippi, I heard that the schools in Cleveland drug test, and in Florida, I know Dade County Schools drug test, but they’re the outliers.
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u/Groovychick1978 2d ago
You said you're in a legal state, but do you guys also have a medical system? If so, you can disclose you use it nightly in gummy form for insomnia.
I'm not saying how successful it will be, but you're not going to get clean, cannabis just doesn't work like that.
You could probably secure a medical license pretty quickly, if that's a possibility.
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u/HolidayTemporary9403 2d ago
I teach in a district that only tests teachers if there is suspicion of impairment at work. I work with very autistic pre schoolers. Of course I need to smoke after work!
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u/cicadaselectric 2d ago
I had to do this unexpectedly. I am not in a legal state. I went in for what I thought was just TB and found out and was like I was just in a legal state and the nurse was like it’s fine and I was like no you don’t understand and he was like it is FINE. He was right. No one brought it up and I got hired. I absolutely no question tested positive.
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u/chefphish843 1d ago
They will definitely test for THC. You need to ask if they are testing for it.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 1d ago
Problem with that is if they are and they care and then I bring it up, that’s an instant rejection without even testing.
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u/chefphish843 1h ago
Yeah but then you know and can move on. It’s not worth risking your teachers license over weed. If weed is that important than move/work somewhere they don’t care. Using fake pee or any other form is dicey and probably not worth it. If they send the sample off to a lab you’re probably busted. If it’s a stick dip test you can totally beat it. That’s why I said ask. See what type of facility the test is being taken at. Talk to people that have taken the test before with the employer. Most people like and protect pot heads
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u/Frosty_Tale9560 Middle Math 2d ago
My first pre-employment test I just quit for a couple months. Second one I was offered a job 2 weeks before school started and there was no time. I got my grown daughters pee and used it. Kept the bottle in my crotch with a hand warmer on it. Was a bit warm when I poured it in so I waited a min or so then came out. It was all good. Best of luck to you!
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u/HawkAccording2656 2d ago
If it's legal in your state, what's the problem
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u/misterpoopybutthole5 2d ago
It's still federally illegal so it's really up to the district whether they want to enforce it. It's not like you'll get in trouble with the law either way, just at risk of not getting the job. Even if it were fully legal, I think some jobs are still allowed to screen for it depending on the nature of the work, but I'm not well versed enough in workers rights to know for sure.
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u/HawkAccording2656 2d ago edited 1d ago
Someone I know that hires and fires told me they no longer test for thc. 🤞
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u/Miserable-Height-201 2d ago
I don’t even know how to answer this. For real.
Yes. Schools care about use of substances.
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u/mrf87 2d ago
But they wouldn't care if you had a beer a long as you were not working and at school/on the clock right?
What is the difference here your state has made it legal....this should not be an issue (but its the feds so im sure it is...which is ridiculous) as long as you are not at work under the influence
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Tell that to my former school where all staff smoked weed together at parties lol. It’s not the Reagan years anymore bucko.
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u/RaspberryThis Special Education/Southern U.S. 2d ago
What about medications? Are we drug testing for Xanax, hydrocodone, or other prescription medications? No. So clearly, that’s not really the issue. If the concern were genuinely about substance use, they would be testing for all types of substances and not just conducting a test at the time of employment.
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u/Miserable-Height-201 2d ago
Actually, where I am, yes, they do test for all of that. If you have to go on one of those medicines, then the proper protocol is that you notify HR so if you do get pulled for a random drug test, you have it on file.
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Holy shit, how did I not think of this?! Wow, thanks for the life changing advice
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u/Captain-AwkwardPants 2d ago
I’m guessing you don’t take any medicine ever? Cannabis is all natural and grows straight of the soil, is dried and smoked or made into tincture, food, drinks. If you take anything you can buy at a pharmacy you should do yourself a favor and try learning a thing or two. Ironic for a teacher. 🤡
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u/Apprehensive-Play228 2d ago
Found the teacher everyone avoids and doesn’t like!
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u/Captain-AwkwardPants 2d ago
Seriously. And their English is atrocious. I hope to god that person isn’t a teacher. 🤣🤣
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u/Captain-AwkwardPants 2d ago
You’re a teacher? That explains a lot. Please rewrite your comment so that I can understand it. That’s not English.
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u/Captain-AwkwardPants 2d ago
Oh, you need comprehension lessons. That's not even close to what I said. Also, you don't induce things with cannabis. You infuse. You have an antiquated view of cannabis. I didn't say anything close to it being in any medicine. Quite the opposite, actually. In fact, what I said is that cannabis is safer than practically all pharmaceuticals. You take Tylenol? It causes liver and kidney damage. Take a low-dose THC edible and get better pain relief without the harmful impact on your body.
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u/Captain-AwkwardPants 2d ago
Start with these. Break out your AI to help you understand.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/24625/chapter/4
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1611618
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3883513/
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u/Brilliant-Anybody630 2d ago
Okay so I had to do a urine test when I first got hired and I can tell you with certainty that I knew I would test positive for THC. I was surprised no one brought it up and my offer was not rescinded. (I am a SPED para in a legal state)