Drug test question

[dekosap]

I recently wrote my assessment for the YYZ region last week.

I know that there is zero tolerance for marijuana for this job, but I used to be a chronic smoker and I quit in Jan when I got an invite to write the test.
I have no issues with quiting going forward for the job but I was just wondering if the test is a urine/blood or hair test? Because the guy said we would get offers before May which means being about 5 months clean, will that be enough? Am I allowed to wait to take the drug test until the last moment to give myself the best chance of passing or is the appointment set by NAVCAN and cannot be changed?

[shortbreads]

The drug test I took was a urine test and had to be completed within about 10 days of receiving an offer. Hope that helps, best of luck.

[M92]

I can’t speak in absolutes but regardless 5 months will be plenty of time for a majority of people regardless of the method.

I’m sick with congestion so bored and scrolling through threads, mind me asking if this was the first in-person assessment (FEAST)? I love seeing the May timeline for an offer!

[dekosap]

The drug test I took was a urine test and had to be completed within about 10 days of receiving an offer. Hope that helps, best of luck.

Thank you for the info

I can’t speak in absolutes but regardless 5 months will be plenty of time for a majority of people regardless of the method.

I’m sick with congestion so bored and scrolling through threads, mind me asking if this was the first in-person assessment (FEAST)? I love seeing the May timeline for an offer!

I am hoping so lol it would suck so much to get an offer and get rejected because of this :/

Yes it was the first FEAST test, I am not 100% sure on the May timelinr just going off what the test/training supervisor at the acc said to our class.

[North Shore]

IIRC, THC metabolites do show up in your hair, but only as it is ingested; therefore, if you've been weed free, then the part closest to your scalp will reflect that.

Time to cut your hair and get a real job, hippie!

[dekosap]

IIRC, THC metabolites do show up in your hair, but only as it is ingested; therefore, if you've been weed free, then the part closest to your scalp will reflect that.

Time to cut your hair and get a real job, hippie!

Lol I didnt expect to get roasted by a mod.

[levinqute]

Its not a hair test is it? That would suck lol dont you need like 6 months to a year for your hair to be clear even if you are a one time smoker?

Urine test would make most sense. I am assuming we also get random drug tests once on the job as well.

[YYZKammMaliok]

Lol, good thing I stayed away from drugs. Can’t imagine having done all this then failing the drug test.

[levinqute]

Lol, good thing I stayed away from drugs. Can’t imagine having done all this then failing the drug test.

That would suck so much...

[kevenv]

I am assuming we also get random drug tests once on the job as well.

There are no random drug tests.

[levinqute]

I am assuming we also get random drug tests once on the job as well.

There are no random drug tests.

Really? That is kinda surprising.

[Braun]

I am assuming we also get random drug tests once on the job as well.

There are no random drug tests.

Really? That is kinda surprising.

They can only test under very specific circumstances. However, if you are tested and test positive....I wouldn't want to be in that person's shoes.

[dekosap]

On a side note can I be rejected on my CAT2 medical for past marijuana use? Should I be lying to them....?

[levinqute]

There are no random drug tests.

Really? That is kinda surprising.

They can only test under very specific circumstances. However, if you are tested and test positive....I wouldn't want to be in that person's shoes.

Like an accident or something similar? Not that it will ever be an issue, but I read US Atc get tested quite frequently.

On a side note can I be rejected on my CAT2 medical for past marijuana use? Should I be lying to them....?

I wouldnt lie.

[Braun]

Really? That is kinda surprising.

They can only test under very specific circumstances. However, if you are tested and test positive....I wouldn't want to be in that person's shoes.

Like an accident or something similar? Not that it will ever be an issue, but I read US Atc get tested quite frequently.

On a side note can I be rejected on my CAT2 medical for past marijuana use? Should I be lying to them....?

I wouldnt lie.

I don’t remember the exact circumstances but it has to do with if someone reports you or they have valid suspicions to believe you may be under the influence of a substance or alcohol. I haven’t been tested, ever.

[M92]

They can only test under very specific circumstances. However, if you are tested and test positive....I wouldn't want to be in that person's shoes.

Like an accident or something similar? Not that it will ever be an issue, but I read US Atc get tested quite frequently.

On a side note can I be rejected on my CAT2 medical for past marijuana use? Should I be lying to them....?

I wouldnt lie.

I don’t remember the exact circumstances but it has to do with if someone reports you or they have valid suspicions to believe you may be under the influence of a substance or alcohol. I haven’t been tested, ever.

Is ATC like policing where people often drop their habits prior or during the application process but resume some of those past times later? Not that I care since I’ve never been fond of using most substances but I sort of wondered how that worked, especially with the change in laws recently?

[Braun]

Like an accident or something similar? Not that it will ever be an issue, but I read US Atc get tested quite frequently.



I wouldnt lie.

I don’t remember the exact circumstances but it has to do with if someone reports you or they have valid suspicions to believe you may be under the influence of a substance or alcohol. I haven’t been tested, ever.

Is ATC like policing where people often drop their habits prior or during the application process but resume some of those past times later? Not that I care since I’ve never been fond of using most substances but I sort of wondered how that worked, especially with the change in laws recently?

I’d say definitely most people do not consume drugs once they start but there are probably exceptions. Legally, if we smoke pot, we can’t work again until it’s out of the system so it more or less 28 days without work. I’m sure there are some people who don’t respect that but like I said if they get caught....obviously any other harder drugs are just a no and no one would openly talk about using if they did. I don’t think drugs are big problem as everyone gets the importance of the job. There are always
Stupid people though

[M92]

I don’t remember the exact circumstances but it has to do with if someone reports you or they have valid suspicions to believe you may be under the influence of a substance or alcohol. I haven’t been tested, ever.

Is ATC like policing where people often drop their habits prior or during the application process but resume some of those past times later? Not that I care since I’ve never been fond of using most substances but I sort of wondered how that worked, especially with the change in laws recently?

I’d say definitely most people do not consume drugs once they start but there are probably exceptions. Legally, if we smoke pot, we can’t work again until it’s out of the system so it more or less 28 days without work. I’m sure there are some people who don’t respect that but like I said if they get caught....obviously any other harder drugs are just a no and no one would openly talk about using if they did. I don’t think drugs are big problem as everyone gets the importance of the job. There are always
Stupid people though

Thanks for the reply! I was curious and that definitely filled my curiosity.

[glide slope]

This entire thread is ridiculous! If you are all so concerned about being pot heads please do us all a favour, go apply elsewhere. Preferably where human lives are not a stake. Pot heads are usually bad at coping with pressure, thus the pot use. I’m all for more stringent drug testing.

[YYZKammMaliok]

This entire thread is ridiculous! If you are all so concerned about being pot heads please do us all a favour, go apply elsewhere. Preferably where human lives are not a stake. Pot heads are usually bad at coping with pressure, thus the pot use. I’m all for more stringent drug testing.

Agreed. Especially in this field where focus and attentiveness are top priority. I'm all for more drug testing to keep our airspace safe at any cost.

[M92]

This entire thread is ridiculous! If you are all so concerned about being pot heads please do us all a favour, go apply elsewhere. Preferably where human lives are not a stake. Pot heads are usually bad at coping with pressure, thus the pot use. I’m all for more stringent drug testing.

I hate to be that person but...Personally, I don’t really partake in any substance usage but I think it’s a tad closed minded to have this perspective - I think people are just asking questions especially as applicants who may have partaken in the past and just came across the job and had interest.

Usage says nothing about a person or their habits, but if you were to point fingers especially with regards to anxiety, stress, etc., alcohol is going to be where you want to start and I would wager Nav Can isn’t full of straightedge alcohol free employees.

Not trying to be rude, but that is pretty judgemental to say and comes off as ignorant, especially if you factor in the fact that alcohol stays in the system and effects the body in the same way cannabis does. There’s actually been studies that it effects people more than cannabis and even other prescription/harder drugs. It can also be tested in hair months down the line. Not saying I disagree but to call people pot heads for asking questions is a little much.

[Braun]

This entire thread is ridiculous! If you are all so concerned about being pot heads please do us all a favour, go apply elsewhere. Preferably where human lives are not a stake. Pot heads are usually bad at coping with pressure, thus the pot use. I’m all for more stringent drug testing.

Agreed. Especially in this field where focus and attentiveness are top priority. I'm all for more drug testing to keep our airspace safe at any cost.

Nothing wrong with people asking questions. If you aren’t able to ask or answer questions what’s the point of a forum? Last time I checked marijuana was a legal substance in Canada so someone who used it has every right to be informed ok the required testing. Are you really going to sit on your high chair and pretend there aren’t alcohol abuse problems in the ATC/pilot world? Please.

[levinqute]

This entire thread is ridiculous! If you are all so concerned about being pot heads please do us all a favour, go apply elsewhere. Preferably where human lives are not a stake. Pot heads are usually bad at coping with pressure, thus the pot use. I’m all for more stringent drug testing.

Agreed. Especially in this field where focus and attentiveness are top priority. I'm all for more drug testing to keep our airspace safe at any cost.

Such a big misreprensation of marijuana use.. agreed with Braun and M92. You think there arent pilots who drank the night before? Im 100% sure there are ATCs at every FIR who drink as well. Somehow thats just accepted but if you smoke once its the worse thing you can do??

OP states he/she quit months ago for the job and plans on staying that way Id say thays good enough he/she understands the senstivity of the job and just wants to make sure they are safe. Its not like OP is asking if he can be a pothead and be an ATC.

Id also add that there are plenty of cops, firemen, doctors and surgeons and other sensitive positions that are filled with previous or current "potheads" or even worse drug abuse. Please dont generalize.

Edit- Can I also say, anyone who passes FEAST, boot camp, and training is just as qualified as anyone else. If they cant deal with it without "drugs" they will drop out during training and you have nothing to worry about.

[YYZKammMaliok]

Yeah you guys are right, there definitely is a minuscule possibility that some ATCs and Pilots may be intoxicated to some degree, which is why I agreed on more stringent drug testing.

Its inexcusable, especially for ATCs and Pilots. If drug abuse is what you turn to when dealing with pressure/stress instead of coping in a healthy manner, needless to say, it will impact your ability to work optimally. And the term 'drug' encompasses marijuana and alcohol alike, regardless of its legality, it's still a drug which negatively impacts performance and neurological function dramatically, especially in the ATC environment.

Having said the above, if you turn to cannabis or alcohol (among others) on a consistent basis in direct correlation to the stressors you face, technically, every time you ingest it, you'll miss out on 28 days of work (Braun, 2020) and your team of ATCs will have to fill in for you. And if you don't report your intoxication, you'll be putting many peoples lives at risk.

Since OP quit smoking Cannabis in Jan, I wish him/her the best of luck and hopefully they pass the medical. I also suppose everyone working as an ATC realizes the importance and responsibility of this job which should prevent them from taking part in consuming such substances, and inconceivably, *working* under said conditions.

All in all, enhanced drug testing is merely a way of ensuring a safe airspace. If i offended anyone, apologies.

[dekosap]

I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression to anyone here.

As others have said, I merely wanted to make sure I can proceed with the application process without worry or troubles and I would agree on more stringent testing. I dont want to get rejected because I see on the CAT2 medical form that past marijuana use is a major concern.

Maybe reddit would have been a better place for this discussion but most people on there seem to be US controllers and the last post to ask this question was over a year ago and rules have changed since then -I wanted a Canadian perspective.

If it makes anyone feel better I am a social smoker, I just happen to be a college student with lots of free time and all my friends smoke then game. I have never been high on the job not even at a part time retail environment. I or anyone I know smoke because of anxiety or because I cannot cope with stress without it.

Sorry if I offended anyone as well.