presence-in-system testing is unfair or that the inability to scientifically measure marijuana impairment renders drug test- ing invalid. This is simply not the case. In fact, according to Dr. Bob DuPont of the Institute for Behavior and Health, regular marijuana use saturates the brain with THC, causing long-sustained impairment on tasks related to driving weeks after the marijuana use has stopped (Bosker). The fact that random employers are now making attempts at parsing nanograms of THC into “acceptable” and “unac- ceptable” amounts outside of scientific backing, is really quite problematic and unacceptable. Risking employee safety in the workplace is not worth a mid-level
manager’s best guess at how much pot their co-workers can have in their system.
Solutions in Action Te question many of us have is “HOW?” How do we get this information to the employer in a significant way? How can employers not only understand the risks but the positive steps they can take to decrease those risks and increase employee wellness, health and safety? How can an employer be convinced that a soundly writen and enforced policy is of far greater value to them than compromising on allowable em- ployee drug use? Furthermore, how can we inspire employers to become their own best advocates for safe and drug free workplaces? It truly is the employer who has the evidence
and the incentive to advocate against allow- able levels of employee drug use. We can help them find their voice by providing reli- able and meaningful resources that empower the employer to state their case and refuse compromise when it comes to safety. As a co-chair of DATIA’s Marijuana
Outreach commitee, I am proud that DATIA is working hard to make resources available to our members with these issues in mind. DATIA’s resource webpage is a valuable tool for finding information and the advocacy page can guide you through simple steps to learn more about legisla- tive actions that impact workplace drug testing. As a commitee, we are striving to create more options for employer education that will make it simpler for our
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