MSW Field Internships and Medical Marijuana in California

[telos321]

I start graduate school in the fall and have begun searching for an agency for field internship. I'm concerned about my medical marijuana use and agency drug testing. I have severe insomnia, for which traditional sleep medications have been of little help. I've taken too much ambien for too long, and it's not even effective. I began taking medical marijuana around a year ago, and it's incredibly effective. I'm aware that many agencies require drug tests, but I'm uncertain if any are tolerant of medical marijuana licenses. I stopped taking medical marijuana a few days ago to try to rid it from my system as soon as possible in case I need to test soon, and every night since has been intolerable. If possible, I desperately need to resume medicating at night before sleep.

 

Does anyone have experience with field intern drug testing in California, particularly as it pertains to medical marijuana? 

Edited May 26, 2014 by telos321

[TLC]

I don't know if this really answers your question..,

When I was the Urinalysis Program Coordinator for the government we asked the people providing to list all medications that they were on so that when they "popped" it would be explained. I am not well versed with medical marijuana and everything that it entails. My thought is that if you have a bonafide prescription from a medical provider then it should be able to be explained and you should be fine. Please forgive my ignorance if it is not prescribed.

[pdwilks]

I suppose it depends on the state you live in and the kind of job you are looking for.  There seems to be quite a bit of gray area at the moment while employers figure out what is acceptable and what isn’t. These articles bring up some good points about funding through government or state where there aren't laws in place that allow for it. If the feds are against it, then funding could be cut off. 

 

I am not an expert in this, nor do I know the laws on mm.  

Perhaps there are stricter laws about who can use medical marijuana state by state, county by county and so on.

 

Look up companies you are interested in working or interning with to see what they say. Also look on linked in to see if anyone has made some comments about MM for that company.  I don't know if someone is going to put that on their profile, but they could.

 

Medical Marijuana Law Creates A 'Gray Area' For Both Employers And Employees In The Workplace

http://www.progressillinois.com/posts/content/2013/11/01/medical-marijuana-law-gray-area-both-employers-and-patients-workplace

 

Denied a job, medical pot user sues Maine employer

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Woman-who-failed-drug-test-because-of-medical-marijuana-sues-former-employer-.html?pagenum=full

 

 

This is an interesting article on the subject

Medical Marijuana in the Workplace

http://www.dritoday.org/feature.aspx?id=510

[elbimbo]

The field advisors in my school jokingly told us during orientation to start weaning off any recreational drugs (I am going to school in California as well) since there is no guarantee if an agency will test or not. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

 

These threads might be helpful.

http://www.reddit.com/r/socialwork/comments/25e5ej/will_i_be_drug_tested/

http://www.reddit.com/r/socialwork/comments/249h6z/asking_honest_question_any_current_or_prospective/

[telos321]

Thanks for all the helpful links! Those Reddit links are particularly helpful. I can't believe I missed those, thanks elbimbo!

Edited May 26, 2014 by telos321

[Lifesaver]

Call your fieldwork advisor. If anyone knows the answer specific to your location, it will be them.

[telos321]

I've considered calling my fieldwork advisor, but due to the nature of the problem, I'm somewhat hesitant. I'm afraid that admitting to my medical marijuana use could come back to haunt me.

[nugget]

If you're not comfortable about giving details, consider asking your school the question first about how this may be best handled. I'm sure others before you have been in a similar scenario and you will certainly not be the last. Perhaps your department will have a good suggestion for you.

 

If they advise you to speak to the practicum placement, consider asking your doctor to write you a note that explains that you would not pass a drug test due to a prescription medication (without giving the name of the drug) and show them the note. You can simply refer to the drug as a prescription medication when discussing it if you are uncomfortable mentioning what it is. But I think you need to tell them something sooner rather than later. It would be far worse to not tell them anything at all and to fail the test rather than inform them in advance.

 

When they see that you are a good worker and practicum student I'm sure that this issue will be of no consequence to your future career.

Edited May 28, 2014 by jenste