Private employers may not require a drug-free policy, but federal employers and safety staff must comply. Testing is confidential, requiring employee consent. The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act mandates negative drug tests for transportation workers.
Applicant provides urine, lab tests for specified drugs, MRO reviews, lab sends results to employer.
Drug detection times vary: Hair tests - 90 days. Cocaine in urine - 3 days. Cannabis in urine: occasional use - 3 days, regular use - 30+ days. Cannabis metabolites in hair - 90 days.
According to US Drug Test Centers, which provides drug and alcohol testing for employers, the hiring manager usually determines the outcome if an applicant fails a drug test.
Cannabis, a Schedule 1 narcotic, remains federally illegal. State laws allow exceptions, but federal jobs maintain restrictions.