Marijuana has seen increasing popularity in recent years. In the US alone, 6 out of 10 Americans are reportedly in favor of legalization, according to a Pew Research survey. As of November 2018, 33 American states allow the use of medical marijuana while 9 legalize recreational use.
Despite growing acceptance, cannabis use remains controversial. At present, Canada and Uruguay are the only countries that have legalized marijuana on the federal level.
Cannabis legislation remains volatile in other countries with drug laws varying across regions and workplaces. For this reason, employers can still require job candidates and current employees to pass a cannabis drug test even if they operate in a state where weed is legal.
Despite their widespread use, drug tests are not completely foolproof. There are instances in which nonusers can fail a drug test because of a false-positive result. Here are four substances that can trigger these false positives in a marijuana screening.
The medication Protonix is commonly used for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. While Protonix is legal and very popular as a GERD cure, consuming it before a drug test may land you in a prickly situation. The manufacturer warns that this substance can trigger false positives in marijuana drug tests. If you suffer from GERD and have been prescribed Protonix, make sure to secure your prescription and inform your employer or the testing officers that you are using this medication.
Ibuprofen, which is a very common medication used for pain relief (popular brands include Advil, Motrin, and Aleve) and fenoprofen are just two examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. In the past, this medication was thought to trigger false-positive drug-test results, but recently, some sources say that new screening procedures have improved the accuracy of results, so these substances no longer result in false positives.
Still, others continue to include NSAIDs in their list of substances that can potentially interfere with drug-screening outcomes. To be safe, make sure to bring the necessary documentation, such as receipts and prescription, for these drugs when undergoing a cannabis drug test.
Marinol is a treatment used to manage many debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting. Marinol contains a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, one of the active chemical compounds found in marijuana.
Just like the naturally occurring THC in cannabis, the synthetic version found in Marinol can turn up in a drug test from two days to five weeks. Although Marinol is legal, THC is illegal in certain states and countries. If you are using this medication, make sure to inform the drug-testing officer and your employer before going through the drug test.
Hemp belongs to the same family as that of marijuana, and it has a wide range of applications from textile to oil. As a superfood, it offers many benefits, including better skin and improved heart health, and helps with weight management. If you want to include hemp in your diet, you need to keep in mind that it (particularly a hemp product that is homemade and noncommercial) can interfere with drug-screening results.
In the US and most countries that allow the selling of hemp, producers are required to make sure that their merchandise does not contain any traces of psychoactive THC. However, small dispensaries and homegrown shops usually do not comply with these regulations, so their products may contain THC. That said, always make sure to ask sellers about their production methods and whether their goods were tested before being sold.
Always be aware of the laws in your state as well those in your workplace. If you have a safety-sensitive occupation (e.g., one that requires immense concentration or one in the health-care industry), you will need to take precautionary measures as it is very likely for you to need to pass a drug test.
At the same time, be aware of your rights as an employee too, as your medical information is confidential, and there are limitations as to what kind of information your employer is allowed to know as regards your medical records.
Kathy Mitchell is a writer and avid researcher on the subject of beauty, nutrition, and general wellness. She likes to go out with her friends, travel, swim and practice yoga.