SAMHSA recently posted the results of a marijuana survey that reported that the number of people aged 50 and older reporting marijuana use in the prior year went up from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent from 2002 to 2008. Marijuana which is used for medicinal purposes in 14 states is still illegal for recreational use. Marijuana (THC) is also still part of the testing panel when it comes to pre-employment and on-the-job drug testing.
Medical professionals such as Dr. William Dale at the University of Chicago Medical Center see the dangers that marijuana smoking can have as he believes that "Older users could be at risk for falls if they become dizzy, smoking it increases the risk of heart disease and it can cause cognitive impairment."
On the other hand 67 year old Perry Parks, 67, of
As the marijuana argument continues, baby boomers who are not quite ready to retire and are hoping for a new career or even part time work need to understand that smoking marijuana could jeopardize their chances of being hired as more and more responsible companies are enhancing their drug testing protocols in an effort to reduce negligent hiring and overall liability.
Synthetic Marijuana, also known as "K-2" or "Spice" is a mixture of common herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that mirror the high of Marijuana. The synthetic product is sold as incense in head shops, tobacco stores and convenient stores. So far, twelve states have banned the sale of Synthetic Marijuana - (Kansas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky). The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that within the past year there have been over 500 cases of negative reactions to the still legal yet dangerous drug. On the national level the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently designated certain chemicals that are present within Synthetic Marijuana to the same category that heroin and LSD are part of and further emphasizes the need to be able to test blood and urine for Synthetic Marijuana use. On the local level- The Herald Online reported that Fort Mill,...