Drug Testing / State Gov. Drug Testing Forum

[Anonymous User]

Sorry to post anonymously, I just made a new user name and on second thought, realized that because it contains my first name it might not be the best to use it.

Anyone that worked at this office or other State's AG's Office have any info that can help me?

I would stop about 2 weeks before (I run almost every day, so I have little fat and for past drug tests this has worked), but obviously the more I can avoid interrupting enjoyable daily activities, the better, so I'm trying to time cessation as close as I can.

Also, please no comments about "why risk it?", "pot is bad", etc. That is for a different discussion. Here I would like INFORMATION on state agency drug testing policies, and the more specific to my situation, the better, so that I can have a better plan than just not smoking for an extended period of time.

Thanks in advance

[dowu]

Sorry to post anonymously, I just made a new user name and on second thought, realized that because it contains my first name it might not be the best to use it.

Anyone that worked at this office or other State's AG's Office have any info that can help me?

I'm going to stop about 2 weeks before (I run almost every day, so I have little fat and for past drug tests this has worked), but obviously the more I can avoid interrupting enjoyable daily activities, the better, so I'm trying to time cessation as close as I can.

Also, please no comments about "why risk it?", "pot is bad", etc. That is for a different discussion. Here I would like INFORMATION on state agency drug testing policies, and the more specific to my situation, the better, so that I can have a better plan than just not smoking for an extended period of time.

Thanks in advance

You should stop well ahead of that just to be safe. Prepare as if you're going to be taking one; don't risk it by doing the contrary.

Good luck, chief!

[Anonymous User]

Sorry to post anonymously, I just made a new user name and on second thought, realized that because it contains my first name it might not be the best to use it.

Anyone that worked at this office or other State's AG's Office have any info that can help me?

I'm going to stop about 2 weeks before (I run almost every day, so I have little fat and for past drug tests this has worked), but obviously the more I can avoid interrupting enjoyable daily activities, the better, so I'm trying to time cessation as close as I can.

Also, please no comments about "why risk it?", "pot is bad", etc. That is for a different discussion. Here I would like INFORMATION on state agency drug testing policies, and the more specific to my situation, the better, so that I can have a better plan than just not smoking for an extended period of time.

Thanks in advance

Is this for a job job or a summer job? I am interning this summer with a state AG's office also in the northeast and I have not been drug tested.

[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

Drug test for that office seems like a bit much. I'm at a JAG internship and we had to do mountains of paperwork for clearance. But not a drug test.

[eandy]

Does the hypocrisy of working for the AG and doing illegal drugs not bother you?

[Anonymous User]

Does the hypocrisy of working for the AG and doing illegal drugs not bother you?

I thought I was pretty explicit in saying that I didn't want to get into this kind of conversation, but I'll bite: the short answer is "no".

The long answer is (in part) "No because:

1. Marijuana is decriminalized in MA, so even assuming I considered marijuana to be worthy of being wholesale illegal, I would be about as concerned with any innate hypocrisy as I currently feel for my past speeding / parking tickets as I do for smoking marijuana in the past and present.

2. "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

[Anonymous User]

Drug test for that office seems like a bit much. I'm at a JAG internship and we had to do mountains of paperwork for clearance. But not a drug test.

Thank you. This is helpful.

[dingbat]

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

That's a very weak argument, I'm sure you can do better.

It doesn't apply here, but keep in mind that some government agencies perform hair tests, which can show months worth of usage history

[Anonymous User]

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

That's a very weak argument, I'm sure you can do better.

You have a better argument for when it is acceptable to break the law, especially as a future lawyer?

[dingbat]

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

That's a very weak argument, I'm sure you can do better.

You have a better argument for when it is acceptable to break the law, especially as a future lawyer?

Saying there is no justification for a law is not the same as saying the law is unjust

[Anonymous User]

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

That's a very weak argument, I'm sure you can do better.

You have a better argument for when it is acceptable to break the law, especially as a future lawyer?

Saying there is no justification for a law is not the same as saying the law is unjust

Fair enough. A more precise re-wording would be that there is no fair, secular, and "moral" justification for it to be illegal.

I am speaking from opinion and taking it for granted that marijuana is a benign plant, underserving of the severe regulation to which it is subjected. That's why I said that my answer was "in part" because I don't want to derail the thread into a policy discussion regarding legalization.

My assumption in this post (deliberately side-stepping the policy debate) is that marijuana is an acceptable substance for an adult to consume and that the current legal regime is inappropriate. Therefore, I am seeking information to aid me in navigating the current regime with that assumption in mind.

Any experience with an AG's office and drug testing in New England?

[Anonymous User]

First, I'm surprised you have to do drug testing. I'm a summer intern in the Mass AG office, and we (at least in the civil division) did not have to do that. I won't hypothesize how long you need to be clean, but it's better to be safe than sorry (and also upfront).

[JCFindley]

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

That's a very weak argument, I'm sure you can do better.

It doesn't apply here, but keep in mind that some government agencies perform hair tests, which can show months worth of usage history

High and tights are a beautiful fashion statement. I wear mine because I like the Marine Corps look but you have just come up with a reason for them to become trendy with a whole different crowd.

[Anonymous User]

First, I'm surprised you have to do drug testing. I'm a summer intern in the Mass AG office, and we (at least in the civil division) did not have to do that. I won't hypothesize how long you need to be clean, but it's better to be safe than sorry (and also upfront).

Thank you for this response! I was hoping I'd be able to get someone who is there now, so this is the best response.

As I said in the OP, I've passed tests before for various jobs, and I've done a fair amount of research on testing criteria and the body's process of eliminating the THC metabolite, so I've got a good idea on when is a good time to start the break, but what I lacked was credible information on the likelihood of a test but you have graciously helped me out. It's a bit annoying, but it's just part of the times we live in, and at least it's just a drug test and not something akin to a witch hunt or the inquisition or something hehe.

So thank you again sir/ma'am!

[Anonymous User]

I have worked for federal gov agency's and state DA offices in law school and was never tested. I would definitely try and be on the safe side and quit for 3 weeks beforehand. I did for 1.5 months, but that was because I like weed too much and i'm fat. The state that I was a Intern at the DA's office is notorious for drug testing according to friends because it is one where lots of shops have sprung up (i.e. Michigan/Colorado/Cali/ etc). I wouldn't worry too much but definitely be on the safe side and quit for 3 weeks - a month.

[Anonymous User]

Previous poster here at the AG's office. Just so you know, I didn't even have to do a blood test to be an intern with secret level security clearance at a federal agency. The clearance process at the AG's office is very easy. I was approved very quickly. They are more concerned about your criminal history and any conflicts of interest. But never lie to them. It can come back and haunt you and ruin your career.

And just so you know... Even though there are like 45 interns this summer, it is not as social as one might expect. People are separated off, and there hasn't been great turnout at events.

[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

As another person who works in a northeastern AG's office, I was never drug tested. Neither were any of the Deputy or Assistant AGs here or any other office member. I don't think there's too much to worry about but I would err on the side of safety anyways. Wait until at least your first week to start back up again.

[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

As another person who works in a northeastern AG's office, I was never drug tested. Neither were any of the Deputy or Assistant AGs here or any other office member. I don't think there's too much to worry about but I would err on the side of safety anyways. Wait until at least your first week to start back up again.

Does no one find it unethical to be using drugs while working for an AG's office?

I might not like drug laws, but I'm not a legislator - I get to follow laws, not create laws.

[Anonymous User]

As another person who works in a northeastern AG's office, I was never drug tested. Neither were any of the Deputy or Assistant AGs here or any other office member. I don't think there's too much to worry about but I would err on the side of safety anyways. Wait until at least your first week to start back up again.

Does no one find it unethical to be using drugs while working for an AG's office?

I might not like drug laws, but I'm not a legislator - I get to follow laws, not create laws.

I agree. I am the Mass AG intern here. I will only say that they really expect interns to represent the state well both in the office and outside. They hold you to the same standards as attorneys. You are subject for example to a series of laws, like anti corruption laws. Professionalism goes a long ways.

[Anonymous User]

Does the hypocrisy of working for the AG and doing illegal drugs not bother you?

I thought I was pretty explicit in saying that I didn't want to get into this kind of conversation, but I'll bite: the short answer is "no".

The long answer is (in part) "No because:

1. Marijuana is decriminalized in MA, so even assuming I considered marijuana to be worthy of being wholesale illegal, I would be about as concerned with any innate hypocrisy as I currently feel for my past speeding / parking tickets as I do for smoking marijuana in the past and present.

2. "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

Are you really citing Martin Luther King, Jr. to claim that you have a moral responsibility to disobey drug laws? I suppose you are opposed to all mala prohibita laws?

I also find it quite surprising that people claim that marijuana is "benign". Is it more harmful than alcohol or tobacco? No, probably not. And its use, but certainly not its distribution, is less associated with violence than alcohol. But, it is certainly not a "benign" drug. It, like alcohol, is an intoxicant. Indeed, if it was "benign" and had no psychotropic effects, no one would use it.

Now, I certainly would not be opposed to federal decriminalization or federal legalization coupled with regulation. But, that is a matter for Congress and the President. Until that time, we still have a duty to obey a just law. Disagreeing with the underlying policy behind a law does not make it unjust. I certainly hope that your 1-2 years of law school has taught you that much.

[WearyCartographer]

Odds that someone in the MA AG's office sees this post and decides it would be a good idea to drug test all of the incoming fall interns?

[Anonymous User]

Does the hypocrisy of working for the AG and doing illegal drugs not bother you?

I thought I was pretty explicit in saying that I didn't want to get into this kind of conversation, but I'll bite: the short answer is "no".

The long answer is (in part) "No because:

1. Marijuana is decriminalized in MA, so even assuming I considered marijuana to be worthy of being wholesale illegal, I would be about as concerned with any innate hypocrisy as I currently feel for my past speeding / parking tickets as I do for smoking marijuana in the past and present.

2. "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." - MLK; IMO there is no justification for marijuana to be "illegal" and the argument for it to be a fineable offense is fairly weak."

Are you really citing Martin Luther King, Jr. to claim that you have a moral responsibility to disobey drug laws? I suppose you are opposed to all mala prohibita laws?

I also find it quite surprising that people claim that marijuana is "benign". Is it more harmful than alcohol or tobacco? No, probably not. And its use, but certainly not its distribution, is less associated with violence than alcohol. But, it is certainly not a "benign" drug. It, like alcohol, is an intoxicant. Indeed, if it was "benign" and had no psychotropic effects, no one would use it.

Now, I certainly would not be opposed to federal decriminalization or federal legalization coupled with regulation. But, that is a matter for Congress and the President. Until that time, we still have a duty to obey a just law. Disagreeing with the underlying policy behind a law does not make it unjust. I certainly hope that your 1-2 years of law school has taught you that much.

This is why I hate law students. Also, 2 years of law school has taught me that I hate law students and law school. We have a duty to question Congress, not obey them and their millionaire, groveling lobbyist butt-kissing asses.