The Tangled Web Of Legal Marijuana And Hair Tests

Gotta say I love this Forum. Ill make it short and sweet. Me and my father have been doing renovation work for years, traveling around the country. I love being on the road and said "old man when you retire im going to drive trucks." Unfortunate but our last job was in Colorado. I replaced the 3 12 ounce beers I normally drink with a couple puffs on a joint (im in colorado) I have no problem not smoking pot as its never really my vice anyhow and its more of the novelty of smoking it legal. Thing is I got hair down to my ass. Am i due a hair cut and have to wait 90 days? I was thinking of going with the roelh get you CDL school and was reading that they do hair tests. I got a little advice and was told to stay away from the England and Swift programs. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks guys and gals Shawn

I got a little advice and was told to stay away from the England and Swift programs.

Welcome aboard Shawn!

The tangled web you need to be concerned with is the "advice" you've been getting. We've got very successful drivers in here with both of the companies you mentioned.

The company you drive for doesn't determine how well you do at this career, but rather your whole approach to the job.

First thing for you to do is take a good 120 days without smoking weed. That will give you plenty of time to read and study the following materials...

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Also you can participate in our forum and get yourself a really good start on your new career by learning from some of the best of the best out there on the road. We've got em right here, and they are more than willing to help you.

Shawn wrote:

I got a little advice and was told to stay away from the England and Swift programs.

Welcome Shawn. Adding onto what Old School suggested... That advice? Was just that, "very little". More on that in a bit.

So yeah, smoking grass and drinking cannot safely co-exist when operating a CMV. Cutting your hair is of little value because it's the first inch of the follicle they are most interested in. If you are serious about getting into this industry, a failed drug screen is a very difficult event to get past.

Now...the advice you received about Swift's training, pure unadulterated BS. Unless the individual offering said advice actually experienced Swift's training academy and mentoring program, their opinion is based on what they heard from someone else. These "stories" tend to grow into internet legends and are rarely based on fact, but a disguised attempt by the source to blame Swift or England or other for their failures. Many of us in this forum have successfully completed programs for both companies. I can assure both programs are high quality and effective. It all boils down to the student; their focus, commitment and effort.

Here is a link of numerous "programs":

Paid CDL Training Programs

Study the information Old School sent you...it will open your eyes to the actual truth and facts of professional driving. Good luck.

Dang I hit report on G-towns comment, im sorry I thought is said reply. I will put my glasses on from now on. Thanks for the quick replies. I will look over what you guys have sent me. I will also look over the swift and england programs and I know people bad mouth companies when in fact its them that cant hack it. I have no issues not drinking and have no issue not smoking pot for the rest of my life. Sorry I reported you G-town!

Dang I hit report on G-towns comment, im sorry I thought is said reply. I will put my glasses on from now on. Thanks for the quick replies. I will look over what you guys have sent me. I will also look over the swift and england programs and I know people bad mouth companies when in fact its them that cant hack it. I have no issues not drinking and have no issue not smoking pot for the rest of my life. Sorry I reported you G-town!

Not a problem at all...I've done it, especially on my I-Phone. No worries Man...

If you honestly only took a couple hits then detection even in a hair sample is low. Not saying it would never show but the % is really low for a one time use. In general hair test covers the last 90-100 days so that would obviously be your best route. Stay clean for 3 months minimum and then continue that trend. Good luck on your future endeavors.

Yea just a couple hits a night while i was in colorado (6 weeks) looks like im going to go fishing for a bit while im back in Georgia. Thats not going to break my heart. That will give me time to study up and try to find the right type of training that will suit me. I never been in trouble the last thing I want to do is fail a drug test because of my recreation while in CO. After looking over "the highroad" practice tests its looks like my after work beer will also have to wait till i get home for a few days and thats fine also. thanks for the insight gentlemen

Shawn wrote:

Yea just a couple hits a night while i was in colorado (6 weeks) looks like im going to go fishing for a bit while im back in Georgia. Thats not going to break my heart. That will give me time to study up and try to find the right type of training that will suit me. I never been in trouble the last thing I want to do is fail a drug test because of my recreation while in CO. After looking over "the highroad" practice tests its looks like my after work beer will also have to wait till i get home for a few days and thats fine also. thanks for the insight gentlemen

Shawn,...just an FYI on the beer,...only a trace amount of alcohol causes a fail. My rule of thumb; if I am driving the next day, no alcohol of any kind the day before, even to the extent of the morning mouthwash, I only use alcohol-free oral hygiene products. This is important since once you are hired as a full time driver, they can pull you in for a random test at any time. If you had a couple of brews the night before... I think you get the picture.

Good luck!

To add to that for people reading and thinking about getting into this, it should be noted that 0.08 means nothing in a CMV. By the time you get to that level of intoxication, you're at twice the legal limit for CDL holders in relation to getting DUIs, and when G-Town says any trace, that's any percentage at all and you're put out of service which goes on your record. That was easy to me as, in my alcohol binging days, I'd go through a six pack in a year, but for people that like to crack one open at the end of the day that can be a difficult adjustment. Should also note, 'near beer' or 'non-alcoholic' beer DOES contain alcohol, just significantly less. But when you're dealing with a limit of none, 'significantly less' is still quite significant.

To add to that for people reading and thinking about getting into this, it should be noted that 0.08 means nothing in a CMV. By the time you get to that level of intoxication, you're at twice the legal limit for CDL holders in relation to getting DUIs, and when G-Town says any trace, that's any percentage at all and you're put out of service which goes on your record. That was easy to me as, in my alcohol binging days, I'd go through a six pack in a year, but for people that like to crack one open at the end of the day that can be a difficult adjustment. Should also note, 'near beer' or 'non-alcoholic' beer DOES contain alcohol, just significantly less. But when you're dealing with a limit of none, 'significantly less' is still quite significant.

Thanks for pointing this out. For extra clarification, the legal limit for cdl holders is .03 whether in a cmv or personal vehicle.