suffer when regulations are not clearly communicated by all.” A critical facet of this education includes


a more intensive focus on Reasonable Suspicion/For Cause training by service agents. Contemporary marijuana products are much more than “just a litle pot”. Greater potencies and chemically enhanced extracts produce side effects that can mimic what have long considered to be “harder” drugs, such as meth, heroin, and crack cocaine. New ingestion methods, such as vapor-pens (vaping), teas, and sodas do not produce the tell-tale smell traditionally used as a sure-fire means for detecting recent marijuana use. Tese products may also contain extreme serving amounts in a single dose, which can lead to intensified reactions, particularly if the user is “marijuana naïve”. Te state of Colorado created a public safety campaign to warn those new to marijuana use with a slogan of “Start low and go slow.”3 Te product in Figure 1, CannaPunch, OMG Bold contains 151 mg of THC. Te one-pint drink is 15 servings of THC.4 Tese newer products have added to an


already dangerous situation. Marijuana- related emergency room visits have more than doubled since recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado.5


Tis maters,


because employers are widely under the impression that consuming pot is similar to having a glass of wine with dinner. But that is merely a clever marketing slogan by retailers, not based in fact. Dovetailing with higher potency


products is longer-lasting impairment, which many employers do not understand or consider when altering their policies to make broader allowances for THC. When it comes to educating your clients, keep these things in mind: • It’s not “just” a litle pot. It is an impairing substance with new products behaving on par with hard drugs.


• Impairment can last for days rather than hours, even if use has subsided. Tis


www.datia.org 5


having been said, there is no test that proves impairment.


• Reasonable Cause training should include an understanding of contemporary marijuana products and their effects.


• Presence-in-system testing is reliable, accurate, and appropriate for disciplinary actions based on safe and drug free workplace policies.


• Ignoring THC use by employees can lead to employer liability and culpability for serious injuries and high cost industrial accidents. With the proper information, employers


can avoid compromising on workplace safety and stand firm on enforcing their policies. It is crucial that we, as professional collectors, have the tools our clients need to help identify and ensure that they can still have, and maintain, a safe and drug free workplace. ❚


References 1


Zwerling, et.al. "The efficacy of preemployment drug screening for marijuana and cocaine in predicting employment outcome." Journal of the American Medical Association (November 1990): 264(20): 2639-43. Journal.


2


Bosker, et.al. "Psychomotor Function in Chronic Daily Cannabis Smokers During Sustained Abstinence." Public Library of Science (PLoS) (2013): 8(1): e53127. Journal.


3


CDPHE. (n.d.). Marijuana 101 Good to Know Colorado. Retrieved February 14, 2017.


4


Source of photo: https://www.behance.net/ gallery/8420401/CannaPunch-(Logo-packaging- promotional-materials)


CDPHE, Health Statistics and Evaluation Branch. Colorado Hospital Association, Emergency Dept Visit Dataset. Statistical Report. Denver: State of Colorado, 2016. RMHIDTA 2016 The Impact of Legalization in Colorado.


Chuck Marting is a retired Law Enforcement Officer having specialized in drug impaired driving and detec- tion for a total of 20 years. Chuck has spoken on the


topic of drug trends and recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug impairment to six school districts throughout the State of Colorado including school administration certification classes through the DITAP cur- riculum. Chuck has been the main speaker for the Northeast Colorado Narcotic


It is crucial that we, as professional collectors, have the tools our clients need to help identify and ensure that they can still have, and maintain, a safe and drug free workplace.


Officers Association, Colorado School Re- source Officers Association, Adams County Probation and the Adams County District Attorney’s Office. He was also featured in a CBS Channel 4 News report on juvenile drug abuse of Jimsonweed in the State of Colorado and recognized as an expert on juvenile drug trends.


Jo is the President & CEO of Five Minutes of Courage which allows her to speak to a broad array of audi- ences on the lessons learned from marijuana legalization


in Colorado, particularly the impact to the workplace. Jo is also the Senior Projects Manager for TSS Inc. with six drug and alco- hol testing locations throughout Alaska and the Midwest that help keep her rooted in the day-to-day oversight of TPA operations. Jo McGuire serves on the Board of Directors for the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry As- sociation, as the Chairwoman-Elect and co- chairs the Marijuana Outreach Committee, whose purpose is to educate and advocate for employer’s rights to maintain their safe and drug free workplace policies.


datia focus 23


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