[MCOH-EH] [EXTERNAL] Re: Pre-placement Marijuana Testing

[arlen rollins]

Excellent answer Dr Mickelson,
Also there are many other medications that can be used for nausea.

Arlen Rollins, DO, M.Sc, FACPM,

On Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 12:23 PM Mickelson, John G. via MCOH-EH <
mcoh-eh at mylist.net> wrote:

> Her board certified oncologist would prescribe Marinol, which is a FDA
> approved treatment for chemotherapy induced nausea.
>
> Private employers can set their own drug testing policy. Marijuana is
> still an Class 1 controlled substance in Federal law.
>
> A verified and current prescription for a controlled drug will usually
> make the drug test negative. That is what a Medical Review Officer’s (MRO)
> job is to determine.
>
> Her doctor gave her bad advice.
>
>
>
> *From:* MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+john.mickelson2=va.gov at mylist.net]
> *On Behalf Of *Dr Joe Fanucchi
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 23, 2019 11:46 AM
> *To:* MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
> *Subject:* [EXTERNAL] Re: [MCOH-EH] Pre-placement Marijuana Testing
>
>
>
> Good afternoon colleagues,
>
> I've asked this question before but have *never* received a response from
> any of the "we don't employ anyone who tests positive for THC" hospitals:
>
> A 60-year-old attendant in the hospital's gift shop undergoes chemotherapy
> for breast cancer. During the first round of chemo, she is constantly
> nauseated. She feels miserable. She vomits frequently. She loses 30 pounds.
>
> During her second round of chemo, her oncologist (board-certified)
> recommends that she try medical marijuana, which her state legislature has
> legalized. She is not constantly nauseated, she vomits much less
> frequently, and she loses no weight.
>
> Six weeks later (six weeks after her chemo and six weeks since she last
> used marijuana), she prepares to return to work. Unfortunately, her RTW
> drug screen is positive for THC and her employment (and health care
> benefits) are immediately terminated.
>
> There are no "safety-sensitive" duties in her job description, she is not
> employed in a federal facility, and she has followed professional medical
> advice from a licensed physician. Six weeks after her last use of
> marijuana, she clearly is not impaired by it in any way.
>
> I would invite comments from any Employee Health practitioner in a "we
> don't employ anyone who tests positive for THC" hospital regarding the
> justification for depriving this woman of her livelihood.
>
> NOTE: Please respond to me personally rather than to the list as a whole,
> since I'm not trying to start an on-line quarrel: I would simply like to
> hear a logical argument either from a hospital attorney or from any
> Employee Health professional who is involved in the RTW process as to how
> this can be considered legally, morally or ethically justified.
>
> Respecfully,
>
> Joe Fanucchi
> --
>
> *Joe Fanucchi MD FACOEM*
> President and Medical Director
> MediTrax / OHS, Inc. <http://www.meditrax.com/>
> o:925-820-7758
> c:925-368-3367
> drjoe at meditrax.com <%20drjoe at meditrax.com>
>
> <http://www.meditrax.com/>
> ------------------------------
>
> On 1/23/2019 9:19 AM, PRATER, DEANNA wrote:
>
> Since we receive federal funds for Medicare, we have to follow federal
> laws.  We test for THC with our new hires.  All positives are excluded from
> employment.
>
>
>
> *From:* MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net> <mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net> *On
> Behalf Of *Palfrey, John
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 23, 2019 08:24
> *To:* 'mcoh-eh at mylist.net' <mcoh-eh at mylist.net> <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
> *Subject:* [MCOH-EH] Pre-placement Marijuana Testing
>
>
>
> List,
>
>
>
> This was previously posted in April of 2018. Of those responding, most
> excluded candidates with THC positive screens from employment.  Am
> reposting to see if there has been any change:
>
>
>
> With the changes in some state laws regarding recreational marijuana, I
> would be interested in hearing how other healthcare organizations are
> handling pre-placement drug screening for THC.  Are THC positive drug
> screens excluded from employment? Has anyone stopped testing for THC in
> pre-placement screening? Do you handle medical marijuana differently than
> recreational?
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
>
> *John C. Palfrey, PA-C*
>
> *Director, Occupational Health Services*
>
> 774-552-6108
>
> jpalfrey at capecodhealth.org
>
>
>
> --
> *Joe Fanucchi MD FACOEM*
> President and Medical Director
> MediTrax / OHS, Inc. <http://www.meditrax.com/>
> o:925-820-7758
> c:925-368-3367
> drjoe at meditrax.com <%20drjoe at meditrax.com>
> <http://www.meditrax.com/>
> *MediTrax software: Everything you need, at a fraction of the cost!*
> ---------------------------------------
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-- 
Dr. Arlen J. Rollins
Tel:216 410 4970
Fax: 480 247 2821
arlenrollins at gmail.com
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