Pre-employment drug tests are a norm in safety-sensitive industries. However, due to the increasing popularity of medical marijuana, jobs that don’t test are on the rise!
The widespread public support for marijuana has legalized the drug in 37 states nationwide. According to Pew Research Center, an overwhelming 88% of American adults support the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes – with 86% citing therapeutic potential as their top reason.
Many people have difficulty finding suitable jobs because of the lack of a medical cannabis program, employment protections, and general discrimination against users.
On the bright side, if you are a medical oe recreational marijuana user looking for work, there are plenty of employment opportunities. You just have to think outside the box. Several career pathways and the recent revolution in remote work have opened up many doors. This article covers 10 such no-drug test jobs that you can apply for. And if you want to work in a company that does drug tes
 |
Our #1 Choice
Toxin Rid |
|
|
 |
Mega Clean + PreCleanse Pills |
|
Do Jobs Still Drug Test For Weed in 2023?
The answer is yes. Thus, finding a job that doesn’t have a pre-employment drug testing policy can be challenging at times.
It can be even trickier to determine such policies from job postings. This is essential because an employer can refuse to hire you if you refuse a drug screening test or background check.
It’s evident that industries concerned with the safety of others, personal responsibility, and operating machinery call for pre-employment, routine, or random drug tests. However, studies suggest a weak link between work-related injuries or accidents and cannabis use.
Some examples in the United States include:
- Government
- Education
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Police
- Military
- Security
- Transportation
Companies like UPS, Walgreens, Lowes, and Aldi are known to have a drug testing program. On the contrary, Apple, Google, and Starbucks are thriving global brands offering jobs that don’t test for weed and other drugs.
How to Find Out if a Company Drug Tests?
A solid start place to start includes:
- Thoroughly Read the Job Listing and Company Policies
Examine the job description, as sometimes, it is explicitly stated whether a drug test is required. The company’s drug policy should also highlight if they have jobs that don’t test for THC.
- Speak to Other Employees
If you know a current or former employee, you can ask them about drug and alcohol testing. This is also a great way to evaluate first-hand experiences, like whether urine or mouth swab drug tests are conducted.
- Job Websites and Community Forums
On most employment websites, you can filter specific terms like “cannabis” or “drug test” to explore jobs that fit your requirements. Forums like Reddit and Glassdoor are valuable resources to determine whether employees have shared insight on drug testing.
- Ask the Interviewer
If marijuana testing is a deal-breaker for you, this is the most straightforward and effective way to determine if potential employers conduct drug tests. However, it can also be a risky option. Some hiring managers might dismiss your application if they believe you are more concerned about drugs than the job itself.
Commonly Tested Specimens and Drugs
Blood, saliva, and urine are common drug-testing specimens. Unlike more expensive tests, urine is the most common. However, substances are only detectable for 5 to 10 days. Blood testing is more accurate but has a very short detection period of up to a few hours. Finally, saliva tests are less invasive than other options but can only detect drugs for up to 21 hours.
|
Our #1 Choice
Toxin Rid |
|
|
|
Mega Clean + PreCleanse Pills |
|
Drug tests typically screen for the following:
- Phencyclidine
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Opiates
- THC
What Happens if You Test Positive on a Pre-Employment Drug Test?
Companies may also require employees to agree to random drug tests during their tenure. But, any offer of employment must explicitly specify such conditions. Failing a drug test almost always disqualifies candidates from further consideration.
Do Medical Cannabis Patients Have Employment Protections?
The laws regarding medical cannabis vary from state to state, with certain implementing concrete measures to prevent patient discrimination.
But what happens if you fail a drug test but have a medical card? Under the Compassionate Use Act, employers cannot take adverse action like demoting, suspending, or firing employees solely because of medical use.
The act also states that employees must be given a chance to clarify positive results – this means they have the right to wait for a positive result before disclosing that they are a patient.
However, not all states with a medical program offer the same employment protections. It is advisable to research current state laws for jobs that don’t require a drug test.
10 Regular Jobs That Don’t Drug Test
You are not alone if you regularly search for “jobs hiring near me that don’t drug test.” Here are some excellent professions that typically do not require drug tests.
Chef/ Cook
Depending on experience and talent, the sky is the limit regarding a chef’s potential income. This profession is fast-paced, demanding, and time-consuming, requiring several hours of preparation, managing personnel, and a kitchen. Some recruiters run background checks, but drug testing is minimal as chefs rarely interact with consumers.
Chain restaurants and franchises might have different drug screening policies.
Restaurant Server/ Manager
A recurring theme here is that the food industry offers regular jobs that don’t drug test. The duties of such positions include overseeing food and beverage service. Most coffee shops and restaurants have a carefully calculated budget and slim profit margins, not leaving much room for expensive drug tests.
Accountant
As an accountant or bookkeeper, you only have to worry about drug tests if you work for large businesses or organizations. Being self-employed means you can select clients and negotiate your service terms, including pre-employment drug tests.
Personal Trainer
If you are passionate and highly motivated about sports and working out, a career as a personal trainer could be a good choice. Most trainers work independently – but even those employed by fitness centers or clubs are generally never asked for drug tests.
Beauty Industry
The beauty sector encompasses several professions, from hairstylists to nail technicians and more. In addition to drug screening being expensive, most cosmetologists follow a self-employed model or work for small salons. A typical workday involves providing services to clients and scheduling appointments.
Retail Sales Associate
Working in retail, like at a grocery store or gas station, is a reliable option for anyone seeking regular employment without needing a negative drug test result. In the USA, a significantly large number of retail establishments do not enforce drug-free workplace policies.
Therefore, as a sales associate, you can enjoy employee perks without giving up privacy or altering your lifestyle.
Software Developer/ Engineer
With the tech market expanding, there will always be a need for software developers and engineers. However, this highly-qualified career path requires experience with algorithms, coding, and so on.
Because of this job’s nature and computer dependence, medical marijuana use is seen as irrelevant to their work. Moreover, most developers and engineers work remotely.
Web Designer/ Developer
The online market for developers and designers is thriving, and many specialists are shifting to flexible remote work. This career entails developing fully-functional websites from the ground up for customers ranging from companies to individuals. Web designers are focused on thinking outside the box, making it a high-demand field.
Because most web development work can be done from home and due to its specialized skill set, this field doesn’t require candidates to pass drug tests.
Graphic Designer
When it comes to graphic designing, the skills, and creativity reflected through your portfolio of illustrations, logos, and other material matter more than drug use, a graphic designer has the flexibility of choosing to work as a one-off freelancer or for longer projects and campaigns.
Because most of the work is online through platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour, there is typically no need to submit drug test results.
Various Creative Positions
The creative industry is buzzing with opportunities for anyone with some flair and imagination. Careers like writing, photography, social media management, YouTubing and video editing are a few examples of such positions.
These jobs require organization and commitment and are primarily online for flexibility. Furthermore, they don’t involve safety hazards or sensitive information handling. Drug testing is highly unlikely as long as you meet their criteria and deadlines.
|
Our #1 Choice
Toxin Rid |
|
|
|
Mega Clean + PreCleanse Pills |
|
FAQ
Do employers care about weed in drug tests?
Despite legalization in 37 states, the legislation allows employers to test for cannabis. In addition to drug screening, employers can take necessary disciplinary action against employees found using weed, even if legal or outside work premises and hours.
Does a failed pre-employment drug test show up on a background check?
Employers can’t examine information regarding failed pre-employment drug testing during a background check. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), test results are classified as confidential medical information. They can only be shared with patients or employers who conduct the test.
However, background checks can still reveal facts surrounding past criminal felonies and convictions like drug charges. This has a significant impact on the hiring process.
If you fail a pre-employment drug test, do they call you?
A confirmation test is carried out in the event of a failed drug test. If these results are also positive, a medical review officer will investigate the sample’s chain of custody and the results to ensure no contamination or mistakes were made. Sometimes, the MRO might contact you to inquire about prescription drugs you could be taking to explain the result.
However, in some instances, your potential employer’s human resources department might reach out to you instead.
If I pass a home drug test, will I pass a pre-employment drug test?
At-home drug tests that are FDA-approved can help detect drug presence as long as they are conducted as instructed.
However, they are not 100% accurate, might give false results, and can’t determine drug levels. Prescription medication like Adderall (amphetamines) for ADHD can skew results because at-home drug tests can’t detect the different formulas.
Can you refuse to take a drug test for a job?
You can refuse drug screening for a job. However, your employer has the right to terminate you or refuse to hire you regardless of your qualifications and skills. But some states have laws in place that require employers to adhere to specific regulations like equal testing, privacy, and an opportunity to explain positive results.
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for a job that doesn’t require drug testing but is apprehensive, don’t worry too much! In recent years, there has been a decline in drug screening and a simultaneous increase in flexible, remote jobs. As a result, there is a job out there for practically everybody, whether their interests lie in a creative career like graphic designing or the expansive tech world.