Marijuana Misuse

View four webinars from the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery, Ohio State University.

Legal in Illinois, Illegal Federally

Federal Law Supersedes State Law: Under federal law, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. As a result, healthcare facilities, especially those receiving federal funding, must adhere to federal regulations that prohibit marijuana use, regardless of state laws.

Many hospitals, universities, and clinical sites enforce zero-tolerance drug policies for employees, students, and trainees. These policies usually ban marijuana use, including for medical purposes, in order to ensure patient safety and compliance with federal guidelines.

Students in clinical settings may be required to undergo pre-employment, random, or for-cause drug testing. A positive result for THC, even if derived from legal recreational or medical use, may lead to:

• Removal from clinical duties.
• Disciplinary actions, which could include potential dismissal from academic programs.

Patient safety is paramount in clinical environments, and impairment caused by substances such as cannabis is viewed as a serious concern. Even legal marijuana use can raise allegations of impairment, which may impact professional responsibilities and licensure.

Healthcare licensing boards (e.g., nursing or medical boards) may regard marijuana use as unprofessional conduct or as evidence of substance use disorder. The reporting requirements for positive drug tests vary and may affect applications for licensure or renewals.

• eCHECKUPTOGO offers personalized, anonymous assessments that help users understand their substance use patterns, risks, and potential impacts on their health and academic performance.
• SAMHSA drug testing including information on the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Programs. Access the Federal Custody and Control Form (CCF), current HHS Mandatory Guidelines, latest proposed Mandatory Guidelines, public comments, and information requests.
• National Safety Council Workplace drug testing including cannabis testing laws by state, workplace testing policies, recommendations for employers, and webinars about cannabis and the workplace.