I have a medical cannabis prescription and legally use cannabis to help me relax. I only use it in the evenings after work so I won’t drive impaired.
Legally I am allowed to drive a car after consuming cannabis as long as I am not impaired but I would fail drug tests as it remains in your system for days after use.
I am unsure if I will be allowed to drive an HGV legally?
I am happy to discontinue use if I need to in order to pass the medical scheduled for 6 weeks time but after that I will need to continue medicating with cannabis and I’m hoping to find an employer who will be sympathetic to my medical needs. Do most employers or police perform random drug test? I don’t want to have the hassle of explaining my medical needs all the time. Not everyone is aware cannabis flowers are now a legally prescribed medication
A few things I noticed through this thread:
1)You say that cannabis helps you relax in this post, then later say its to unwind like how some people use wine, then later say its for pain. I don’t want to sound pedantic but these are quite different reasons to use the drug.
2)If you are using it for pain which other painkillers didn’t touch, you sound quite flippant about casually stopping it for 6 weeks. This seems like a difficult thing to do when (as you suggest elsewhere) you are using a gram a night. Also, if your pain is bad and requires a regular cannabis prescription, how would you be able to do a long HGV shift (including non driving, this could potentially be over 12 hours long) without your pain medication?
3)The legally prescribed limit for cannabis is 2mg in the bloodstream; so low that an average joint would take possibly 12 hours to get you below the limit, and perhaps even nearer 24 hours to be truly clear from the system for police drugs tests. Medicinal or not, that’s the prescribed limit. As far as I’m aware, a doctor can say you could drive up to the prescribed limit, but can’t give you permission to drive about the prescribed limit of a drug and override the law (correct me if I’m wrong). If you are using (as you imply in one post) a gram a night, thats a few joints a night. There’s no way you would be legal every time you got behind a wheel unless the cannabis contains basically no THC, and so would be risking others and your own career.
Personally I believe that the limit is a bit too low considering you can have a drink and drive, but either way its the law and you would get in trouble if you were pulled for driving unsafely, medicinal or not. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you ARE a medicinal user, in which case you have my sympathy, but if you are needing to use cannabis every day then unfortunately HGV driving isn’t for you.
I’ve recently found that hemp flowers work very effectively for me during the day. I dislike using any cannabis that will impair my performance during the day (while potentially driving) but I enjoy using a high THC flower in the evening to aid myosin relief, relaxation and sleep.
We all know the dangers of driving whilst impaired
Sleep deprivation is an impairment
I avoid sleep deprivation by using my prescribed cannabis indica 1 hour before I plan to sleep, this ensures I have a good sleep as and when required.
I agree, the limit needs to be changed. Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle but I really worry about others who are not yet medically exempt.
I am hoping when I am tested I will already have a medical exemption certificate in place and so I will not have any issues with the high amounts of cannabis, opiates and diazepam in my blood. The quantities of controlled substances in my blood would perhaps kill a new user, but, as I have slowly increased my usage, I have become adapted to using these medicines and they do not negatively affect me like they would someone else
There are many people who may be currently using cannabis as a natural way of dealing with their health issues who are not yet legally prescribed. When Project T21 is over hopefully new people will be able to access the medications they need on the NHS
Greenuser:
Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle
You’re funny, you’d be almost likable if you weren’t intent on threatening the safety of British road users; you are most certainly not exempt.
As I’ve told you before HGV drivers have a whole other level of law enforcement (DVSA & Traffic Commissioner) which trickles down to the haulage industry’s internal regulation system (Transport Managers, like me, who wouldn’t give you the time of day) who are responsible for ensuring drivers adhere to the system of rules.
Why don’t you go an learn to drive a fork lift? It’s far cheaper and you’ll probably get away with drug use more easily and are less likely to go to jail because you won’t be a threat to the road-using public, just the guys you work with…
Greenuser:
Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle
You’re funny, you’d be almost likable if you weren’t intent on threatening the safety of British road users; you are most certainly not exempt.
As I’ve told you before HGV drivers have a whole other level of law enforcement (DVSA & Traffic Commissioner) which trickles down to the haulage industry’s internal regulation system (Transport Managers, like me, who wouldn’t give you the time of day) who are responsible for ensuring drivers adhere to the system of rules.
Why don’t you go an learn to drive a fork lift? It’s far cheaper and you’ll probably get away with drug use more easily and are less likely to go to jail because you won’t be a threat to the road-using public, just the guys you work with…
No offence but I want someone with more knowledge of the law to comment. You’re wasting everyone’s time with incorrect information
Greenuser:
Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle
You’re funny, you’d be almost likable if you weren’t intent on threatening the safety of British road users; you are most certainly not exempt.
As I’ve told you before HGV drivers have a whole other level of law enforcement (DVSA & Traffic Commissioner) which trickles down to the haulage industry’s internal regulation system (Transport Managers, like me, who wouldn’t give you the time of day) who are responsible for ensuring drivers adhere to the system of rules.
Why don’t you go an learn to drive a fork lift? It’s far cheaper and you’ll probably get away with drug use more easily and are less likely to go to jail because you won’t be a threat to the road-using public, just the guys you work with…
No offence but I want someone with more knowledge of the law to comment. You’re wasting everyone’s time with incorrect information
You already have knowledge of the law. You’ve quoted it at us numerous times throughout this thread. The problem you have is that law does not always equal reality and this is an excellent example of that.
The law says you can do what you want to do, legally. The reality is that no haulage firm will touch you with a bargepole because you’ll be more hassle than you’re worth, causing unrest amongst the other drivers once they get a whiff of the pot scent emitting from you, plus the company will also get unwanted attention from the DVSA/TC when the disgruntled drivers inevitably report you to them.
It’s a nonstarter. Just give up on it already and thank me for saving you from a load of aggro and disappointment. This is not the industry for you.
This thread alone will have registered alarm in many a traffic office up and down the land with TM’s who maybe up to now hadn’t given the possibility of similarly troubled drivers that might be currently working for them or apply for a job, the OP should be thanked for bringing this issue more out in the open.
Random drug testing now happens at a good number of transport yards, pity its come to this but with the blase attitude being shown here i for one will be a little more understanding of my shift manager when i get pinged for one, Zac_A is obviously already on the ball about this and rightly so, where i work they’d not give one second’s consideration to such an applicant and nor would any operator who values their good standing and O licences.
We now have an actual real life Traffic Commissioner on the main forum, maybe it’s caused him some thoughts if he’s seen this rubbish and it might well be a subject for further disussion among TC’s and the legislature.
Does a small amount of cannabis really affect driving? All the usa states that legalised weed should now have roads like mad max but they dont - you usually see a small increase in accidents at first then after the idiots have calmed down it settles back down to the same levels as prohibition states. Tens of millions of people with weed in them and roads as safe as ever - makes you think doesnt it?
Cannabis is used by a lot of athletes and jiu-jitsu fighters because it improves their reaction time and coordination - look up the “high rollers” jiu jitsu tournaments - quite a way from your idea of cannabis users and cannabis effects?
Juddian:
Jeepers, can the funny stuff affect you down t’internet line? it’s either that or i’ve stepped into an episode of the X files
Please don’t lock this thread mods, we’ve entered the surreal and it’s a must see.
Agreed!!
This series really is a must see.
I wouldn’t argue with somebody who stopped writing after they’d said that they are on prescribed cannabis, which means that they have a good reason to have it at home, or maybe in their possession. IMHO, it’s a real leap for anybody to suggest that they have an exemption for driving with cannabis in their bloodstream.
Greenuser:
Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle
You’re funny, you’d be almost likable if you weren’t intent on threatening the safety of British road users; you are most certainly not exempt.
As I’ve told you before HGV drivers have a whole other level of law enforcement (DVSA & Traffic Commissioner) which trickles down to the haulage industry’s internal regulation system (Transport Managers, like me, who wouldn’t give you the time of day) who are responsible for ensuring drivers adhere to the system of rules.
Why don’t you go an learn to drive a fork lift? It’s far cheaper and you’ll probably get away with drug use more easily and are less likely to go to jail because you won’t be a threat to the road-using public, just the guys you work with…
No offence but I want someone with more knowledge of the law to comment. You’re wasting everyone’s time with incorrect information
To suggest you’re knowledgable on the law and think you’re exempt is scary, as someone who is currently working in the emergency services (will not specify which one) i have seen what happens when people under the influence driving large vehicles can have first hand and its not pretty. The law is very clear, you drive with it in your system and you’re drug wiped, you will be arrested and prosecuted there are no exemptions its as simple as, if you’re a user of the cancard which i’d imagine you are even in their very own FAQ it states the following:
‘Does this mean I can drive?
No, the law is clear on driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance. Prescription cannabis is labelled as ‘do not drive or operate heavy machinery’ and we implore you to be considerate in your actions after you have taken a dose of medicine. Here is some accurate information about how long THC can stay in your system.’
I cannot beleive in this day and age people think its appropriate to suggest they can drive under the influence of any drug that impacts your judgment legal or non legal. My suggestion would bluntly be if you’re in that much pain that you cannot cope without cannabis you may have to look at alternate jobs as driving, loading and unloading can be quite physical.
edit to add to the mods comments, will be interested to hear updates if this thread remains open.
Greenuser:
Obviously as a medical user I am exempt from the law regarding thc levels in blood whilst operating a vehicle
You’re funny, you’d be almost likable if you weren’t intent on threatening the safety of British road users; you are most certainly not exempt.
As I’ve told you before HGV drivers have a whole other level of law enforcement (DVSA & Traffic Commissioner) which trickles down to the haulage industry’s internal regulation system (Transport Managers, like me, who wouldn’t give you the time of day) who are responsible for ensuring drivers adhere to the system of rules.
Why don’t you go an learn to drive a fork lift? It’s far cheaper and you’ll probably get away with drug use more easily and are less likely to go to jail because you won’t be a threat to the road-using public, just the guys you work with…
No offence but I want someone with more knowledge of the law to comment. You’re wasting everyone’s time with incorrect information
To suggest you’re knowledgable on the law and think you’re exempt is scary, as someone who is currently working in the emergency services (will not specify which one) i have seen what happens when people under the influence driving large vehicles can have first hand and its not pretty. The law is very clear, you drive with it in your system and you’re drug wiped, you will be arrested and prosecuted there are no exemptions its as simple as, if you’re a user of the cancard which i’d imagine you are even in their very own FAQ it states the following:
‘Does this mean I can drive?
No, the law is clear on driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance. Prescription cannabis is labelled as ‘do not drive or operate heavy machinery’ and we implore you to be considerate in your actions after you have taken a dose of medicine. Here is some accurate information about how long THC can stay in your system.’
I cannot beleive in this day and age people think its appropriate to suggest they can drive under the influence of any drug that impacts your judgment legal or non legal. My suggestion would bluntly be if you’re in that much pain that you cannot cope without cannabis you may have to look at alternate jobs as driving, loading and unloading can be quite physical.
im pretty sure you can drive with tramadol in your system providing you have spoken with a doctor and evaluated the side effects and its perscribed to you although if you feel drowsy or unable to drive logic would state don’t drive with it in your system as if an accident occurs you may or will be prosecuted. As i will say though i am by no means a lawyer or legal expert before people come at me for that
You can drive with heroin in your system if you have a prescription for morphine. Even a co-codamol headache tablet would make you positive for heroin.
Now be honest have you ever taken a cocodamol for a headache and drove? Were you anymore dangerous than normal?
The problem is “testing positive” and being “under the influence” are two completely different things.
With the legal levels set so low you test positive for a joint you smoked 4 days ago.
I’m actually quite positive about the potential uses of cannabis for pain relief and certain other conditions, and I think it’s a shame it gets stereotyped because of the useless stoner layabout types.
What I don’t understand though is how people with a prescription can be deemed fit to drive with it in their system when Joe regular can’t. Either it impairs driving or it doesn’t. It’s not like they let people who can hold their beer drive when ■■■■■■■
I used to occasionally have a cheeky vape of it when I stayed with my mate’s family in Amsterdam. Before I was a professional driver I’d also very occasionally dabble if I had a week off - would never buy it, just borrow a tiny bit off a mate. It always irked me to think I could end up losing my job for having a puff two weeks earlier on a Friday night so I knocked it on the head when I left office work. I don’t understand how people with prescriptions are allowed to drive on it.
Juddian:
This thread alone will have registered alarm in many a traffic office up and down the land with TM’s who maybe up to now hadn’t given the possibility of similarly troubled drivers that might be currently working for them or apply for a job, the OP should be thanked for bringing this issue more out in the open.
You’re not wrong there! After OP began his nonsense I made sure to examine the driver’s handbook for the outfit where I’m TM, looking for loopholes that could be used by anyone else who was happy to lie to their employer. I think it’s covered by references to both prescription medicine and drug use, but it’s not as watertight as I’d like it to be if I thought OP was anywhere near my neck of the woods.
It would be easy to have an amendment to the policy to cover people like OP but that would mean unnecessarily insulting guys who’re doing a good job.
I don’t understand how our TC forum member can not want to put his two-cent’s worth in here… C’mon Nick, get off that fence
Obviously it doesnt impair driving at the current legal level its set to - thats like saying you had a glass of shandy at the weekend and you were impaired the friday after.
Completely ridiculous but theres been so much antidrug propaganda for so long people happily believe smoking a joint 3 weeks ago leaves you “impaired”
Impaired or not, the bottom line is that in an accident or fatality, when the driver is in court, the Jury are going to hear words to the effect that: “Blood tests taken from the driver after the incident showed the presence of cannabinoid metabolites”. Game over.
That’s why the overwhelming verdict here is against the issue. It’s common knowledge that when something goes wrong involving an HGV and other road users, the legal system is stacked against the HGV driver, we’re “guilty until proven innocent”
ITT - a bunch of idiots who have been brainwashed into thinking cannabis is evil. I bet you think it’s fine to sniff coke on a Friday night as it’s out of your system by Monday?
OP has said he only uses at night time, he is within his right to drive the next day as long as he isn’t drowsy from his medicine
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The same goes for any medical cannabis users who are discriminated against.
OutlawLtd:
ITT - a bunch of idiots who have been brainwashed into thinking cannabis is evil. I bet you think it’s fine to sniff coke on a Friday night as it’s out of your system by Monday?
OP has said he only uses at night time, he is within his right to drive the next day as long as he isn’t drowsy from his medicine
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The same goes for any medical cannabis users who are discriminated against.
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Unauthorised advert removed by Admin. dd.
OP and ANY other medical cannabis users, I will support you by paying for legal representation if you are ever discriminated against by your employer or the police. .
No more possession of cannabis prosecutions in 2021
