MARIJUANA CAN IMPACT EMPLOYEES' WORK OVER LONG TIME PERIODS

 Did You Know?

As our Drug Testing Kit UK's Health Science Advisor, reports:

"Different drugs stay in the system for different amounts of time. The length of the effects of different drugs vary greatly. For example, the high from marijuana can last for up to 10 hours, the high from LSD can last 6 to 12 hours, and the high from cocaine can last  15-30 minutes. The same is true for how long a drug stays in the body’s system, even after the effect has worn off. Some drugs such as marijuana will stay in  the system for days; and even months. How long a drug is detectable depends on a number of factors" [1]

This means that if you have staff who abuse drugs, they can often be found out a long time after they have consumed them. In fact, many employees who are given either an announced, or unannounced random workplace drug test, are quite shocked to have a positive test result. This is however, very important for the employer, as they can verify and record the result, thus signalling to the members of staff concerned, that they are aware of their behaviour. Moreover, they can be given a written warning in order to try to prevent the employee from acting irresponsibly in the future.

Furthermore, the employees who have positive results (which show drugs in their system), should be called into the manager's office in order to discuss the matter. They should be directed to, and shown the company's/organisation's mandatory Health & Safety Policy in relation to workplace drug testing (if it exists). Moreover, the employees in question, should be told that at any time in the future, they will be subject to both announced and random unannounced on-site drug tests. And if their contract of employment does not have provision for these aforementioned events, then your company/organisation will need to draw up a suitable legal document for them to sign. Details can be found in Drug Testing Kit UK's Blog Section.

 Factors That Determine How Long Drugs Stay in the System

 Our Drug Testing Kit UK's Health Science Advisor would like to draw your attention to the following factors:

• Type of drug(s) used
• Quantity of drug(s) used
• Frequency of use
• Tolerance to drugs
• Body mass
• Level of hydration in the body
• Gender
• Level of physical activity
• Metabolic rate (the amount of energy expended by the body in a given period of time - normally daily)
• Medical conditions which can affect drug elimination
• The presence of alcohol or other drugs in the body
• Whether the individual smokes

Ethnicity (the social group that an individual belongs to as a result of a mixture of cultural and other factors that are traditionally associated with race (for example: ancestry, physical features, and diet) [1]

Purchasing Bulk, Economic, Multi-Drug Screening On-Site Drug Tests 

 So How Long Does Marijuana Stays In The System? 

"First-time Marijuana users are more likely to pass a drug test, compared to a person who smokes Marijuana multiple times per week" [1], so this is yet one more important reason for conducting regular workplace drug tests 

Time-Frame of Drug Testing Kits UK's Multi-Drug Tests Which Include Marijuana

The time-frame for the detection of Marijuana (and other drugs), is dependent on the type of drug test. 

Marijuana Time Frame

 This table clearly shows that Drug Testing Kit UK's Saliva and Urine Testing Kits, have excellent time-frames.

 Synthetic Marijuana

"Synthetic Marijuana, also known as K2 or Spice, are man-made chemicals that are sprayed on dried plants to be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporized. This drug is sometimes marketed as “fake weed,” and it is unpredictable and dangerous, sometimes causing violent behavior, vomiting, suicidal thoughts, and rapid heart rate. The results of drug tests for Synthetic Marijuana greatly depend on how frequently the user inhales the drug" [1]

Renowned for being leaders in the field of workplace and on-site drug testing; and supplying countless companies, organisations, institutions, educational establishments, and medical facilities, across the length and breath of the UK and Southern Ireland, Drug Testing Kits UK is very aware of the availability of synthetic marijuana. So at this point, you may be asking yourself what exactly is it, how long does it stay in the body. 

"Synthetic Marijuana may contain chemicals similar to those found in the Marijuana plant; however, it is difficult to determine what chemicals are in Synthetic Marijuana products or what one’s reaction to them will be. There are severe health effects of synthetic cannabinoids, including breathing problems, muscle damage, heart attack, and kidney failure" [1]

So How Long Does Synthetic Marijuana Remain In the Body?

 Synthetic Marijuana

 Contact Our Winning Customer Service Advisors & Look at Our Wealth of Info

Drug Testing Kits UK is proud to be able to offer professional advice through our regular blog articles, all of which are referenced using the most authoritative sources, including the Health & Safety Executive, and the UK government. The positive feedback which we have received, has been overwhelming, and our Drug Testing Kit UK's Health Science Advisor is always at the cutting-edge of what is going on in the UK and Southern Ireland, in regard to changing or amended rules and regulations on conducting illegal drug and alcohol testing in the workplace; the new and commonly used drugs that in vogue at different times; and very importantly, how employees who abuse alcohol and different illicit drugs can cause serious issues for employers, fellow workers, and in some cases, the public at large.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to see how we can help you according to your industry, and specific needs. Also, ask us for a quote on our exceptionally economically priced bulk purchase deals!

 Reference

 [1]. Hudson, H. (2013). "How Long Do Drugs Stay In Your System?"

https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/how-long-do-drugs-stay-in-your-system/