SAN FRANCISCO -- An employer can refuse to hire someone who has ever tested positive for marijuana or other drugs, even if the applicant is now clean and sober, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

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This is so upsetting on so many levels . Especially when you consider all the false positives that occur even with the 50 nanogram limit used in most employment screen's . Those who are around passive vapor can easily not pass a 5 nanogram test(1) . Every Citizen with any understanding of Murphy's Law should see this is not a fair or reasonable course of action creating lifetime penalties that could remove a person from their trade . What inefficiency and ruin for all concerned . Someone can be the best at their trade having decades of experience and be black listed for life . Some will fall victim to false positives and it will be their entire family and community that is effected . What about the over 30% of the population where Cannabis is legal for medicinal use ? If they test positive with a qualifying condition should they be held to the same standard if they cease use later and have improved health ?

The Government pays for years of investigation and hearings on the majority of death penalty cases yet convicted individuals are perpetually found that were wrongly sentenced . Why would anyone think it a reasonable penalty that a individual should loose the ability of practicing their trade anywhere for one positive pre-employment drug test ? All based on one sample often collected without supervision or proper empirical procedure that receives little further investigation nor can society afford to promote it or individuals defend against it . There are no protections to keep this information from being exchanged or to protect individuals in case of accidental passed misinformation . Will we soon see a box on applications asking if anyone ever had a positive pre-employment or random test ?

I just cannot understand how people without direct monetary interests , can support this artificially created mess where the penalties outwiegh the harm ? I further can't believe those who benefit financially can support it either . Shouldn't we just ban anyone that ever has a accident from employment or other activities ? It always boils down to money and someone trying to take it away from a group they have no desire to be part of , distrust , dislike and are afraid of . Honest , concern and love for your fellow citizens are great asset's , prohibitionist's , and their supporting business partners have perfected how to fake them . The thought of all this reawakens the unpleasant memories of McCarthyism (2) though there wasn't as much money involved testing and rehabilitating alleged American Communists . I believe at one point they estimated about 50,000 citizens were effected in employment through un-american activity hearings at the local level around the Country . It sure was popular and polarizing as long as you saw yourself and were seen by others as a accuser or were left alone to observe the carnage in awe like a Roman at the Colosseum .

In 2009 16.7 million Americans 12 and up admitted they used Cannabis in the previous month when surveyed . Everyone of them risked discrimination , loss of employment , education ,normal health care , imprisonment , fines , etc over 70 years into prohibition at a cost of hundreds of billions a year of enforcement action . Obviously this is way higher then Harry Anslingers estimate of 100,000 user's in the 1930's before Cannabis prohibition (4) . Experts say stress is one of the most dangerous drains on the human condition , personal production , quality of life , mental and physical health . When are medical patients going to get a break and be able to just experience the actual positive effects of Cannabis use on their conditions ? When are otherwise good citizens who simply use Cannabis going to find a toe hold to align with mainstream society over being pushed underground with the outlaw element they have little in common with except for being artificially created criminals ? Good Citizens denied the right of differentiation within self determination attempting to obtain their enjoyment of life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness - just like everyone else .

(1) http://www.drug-testing-kits.com/nida-details.html

(2) http://en.wikipedia....iki/McCarthyism

http://en.wikipedia....ywood_blacklist

http://www.thirdworl...AntiCommun.html

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhollywood10.htm

(3) http://www.nida.nih..../marijuana.html

(4) http://en.wikipedia....ry_J._Anslinger

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7987598