Category 1 with past marijuana use?

[Awong98]

I did a category 1 medical exam today and was asked if I used marijuana (specifically), to which I answered yes (my morals and stupidity took over). My AME was unsure of what that meant for my medical and told me it would be passed on to a "head" examiner and i would receive a letter from him/her. To be clear, I did use marijuana in the past but i have stopped since beginning my training a few weeks back for my PPL. At this point I am extremely worried I have failed my medical and jeopardized my career of wanting to be a pilot. I understand the mistake that Ive made and I am simply unsure what I will hear back from this "head" examiner. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar or what the procedure for marijuana use is for Transport Canada.

[cncpc]

I did a category 1 medical exam today and was asked if I used marijuana (specifically), to which I answered yes (my morals and stupidity took over). My AME was unsure of what that meant for my medical and told me it would be passed on to a "head" examiner and i would receive a letter from him/her. To be clear, I did use marijuana in the past but i have stopped since beginning my training a few weeks back for my PPL. At this point I am extremely worried I have failed my medical and jeopardized my career of wanting to be a pilot. I understand the mistake that Ive made and I am simply unsure what I will hear back from this "head" examiner. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar or what the procedure for marijuana use is for Transport Canada.

I've never heard of that question being asked. I think the question is whether you have ever been treated for substance abuse, addiction, something along those lines.

In fact, I know there is no question that asks specifically about marijuana. If there was and it was disqualifying, this pilot shortage is nothing compared to what that would cause. I doubt that I know a pilot who hasn't smoked marijuana. Smoking it while practicing as a pilot, that's a different thing.

I think you got an AME with Reefer Madness in his video library.

Keep us updated.

[cncpc]

I checked the form. There is no question specifically about marijuana. It asks if you've been treated for alcohol or substance abuse. That is all in that regard.

[daedalusx]

I doubt that I know a pilot who hasn't smoked marijuana.

Never did, never will. I'm not a degenerate and I don't believe I'm alone in this industry.

[Blueontop]

Degenerates....? someone sure has a inflated opinion of themselves...

[dogfood]

just go to another doctor and get a medical and be smarter when the questions are asked. Believe it or not a large amount of pilots smoke they are just care full with who they tell. I have had about 20 or so medicals never been asked once but i know people that have been and they lost there medicals because they said yes.

[WastedFlyer]

I doubt that I know a pilot who hasn't smoked marijuana.

Never did, never will. I'm not a degenerate and I don't believe I'm alone in this industry.

I thought it was just me... (seriously...)
Once at the office (different industry, nothing aviation-related), I commented to a co-worker (whom I considered a good friend) that I was amazed about how many of our co-workers seemed to smoke pot... She looked at me, puzzled at my comment, and said that she was sure I was the ONLY one in the whole office who DIDN'T smoke pot... I really felt out of place...

[WastedFlyer]

I did a category 1 medical exam today and was asked if I used marijuana (specifically), to which I answered yes (my morals and stupidity took over). My AME was unsure of what that meant for my medical and told me it would be passed on to a "head" examiner and i would receive a letter from him/her. To be clear, I did use marijuana in the past but i have stopped since beginning my training a few weeks back for my PPL. At this point I am extremely worried I have failed my medical and jeopardized my career of wanting to be a pilot. I understand the mistake that Ive made and I am simply unsure what I will hear back from this "head" examiner. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar or what the procedure for marijuana use is for Transport Canada.

Awong, not sure if that helps, but the medical is not just to assess the physical aspects. As I understand it, the doctor would also try to assess your "mental suitability" to fly an airplane... Personally, I think it's praiseworthy that you were straightforward and told the truth, I don't think that telling the truth was "stupid", and I'm hoping that whoever is deciding on your case will take that in account... I rather have a trustworthy pilot who used marijuana years ago, than someone who never did drugs but would try to get away by lying, cutting corners and doing whatever is "easier" (not "safer"...) Good luck!

[Zaibatsu]

Mari-ju-wana's bad.... m'kay? Cause mari-ju-wana's a drug, and drugs are bad... m'kay. You shouldn't do drugs, cause drugs are bad, m'kay?

[cncpc]

Degenerates....? someone sure has a inflated opinion of themselves...

That's what I was thinking, but I decided to pass no remarks.

[Bolter]

Too funny! Even if previous use is an issue(which it isn't), it will be legal in 13 months (assuming JT & the Sunshine band don't do another flip flop).
Maybe Garneau will mandate pre-flight tongue swabs. LOL

[av8ts]

Then we won't be degenerates anymore. Yay

[xsbank]

It may become legal but if you want a good job they will still make you pee in a bottle. The companies want none of it so you can happily, legally smoke up and be unemployed. Also, just try and get into the USA.

[cncpc]

Then we won't be degenerates anymore. Yay

You still will if you don't buy from Trudeau's stock market listed buddies' companies.

[atphat]

It may become legal but if you want a good job they will still make you pee in a bottle. The companies want none of it so you can happily, legally smoke up and be unemployed. Also, just try and get into the USA.

What world do you live in?

[cncpc]

Just to emphasise again, a doctor can't ask you if you smoke marijuana. Or are gay, or voted for Trump. Other things, that depending on your perspective, may indicate degeneracy.

[Heliian]

but if you want a good job they will still make you pee in a bottle.

Same if you want a crappy job in a lot of places. This perceived safety of pre-employment and random drug testing will be quickly adapted for the new laws. Employers will want to look like they're being "safe" for their insurance and the drug testing companies are doing it strictly for $$$$, they have no moral standing. Anecdotally, the money that employers spend on testing could actually increase safety in other areas to a higher percentage, say fatigue mitigation.

The issue here isn't about which drugs are legal, it's more about what they can get away with. There is a good reason we don't have mass drug testing in Canada. We are not the U.S.

[Black_Tusk]

It may become legal but if you want a good job they will still make you pee in a bottle. The companies want none of it so you can happily, legally smoke up and be unemployed. Also, just try and get into the USA.

What world do you live in?

The 1950s apparently.

[cncpc]

It may become legal but if you want a good job they will still make you pee in a bottle. The companies want none of it so you can happily, legally smoke up and be unemployed. Also, just try and get into the USA.

What world do you live in?

If I had to guess, I'd say Alberta world.

There are legitimate concerns over the use of cannabis and working in aviation, however. Not just concerns over currently impaired on the job, but the long term effects of elevated use patterns in relation to inner ear problems and vertigo, and short term memory loss, as examples.

Border guards aren't trying to keep you out of the USA because you smoked pot. They know most Canadians between 18 and 70 have smoked pot. It's a question they ask when they have some other personal reason to keep you out. Like a Hilary bumper sticker.

[CFR]

just go to another doctor and get a medical and be smarter when the questions are asked. Believe it or not a large amount of pilots smoke they are just care full with who they tell. I have had about 20 or so medicals never been asked once but i know people that have been and they lost there medicals because they said yes.

Most definitely do NOT do that. Your doctor has likely forwarded the form to the RMO (regional medical officer) for review (they all go there eventually anyway). If they get a form about you from another doctor with a different set of answers alarm bells will go off.

[Yycjetdriver]

I doubt that I know a pilot who hasn't smoked marijuana.

Never did, never will. I'm not a degenerate and I don't believe I'm alone in this industry.

Don't worry WHEN you become a pilot 95% of the people you fly with are awesome and you get to have a lot of fun with. Unfortunately like any career there's people who fall outside the norm. That for some reason think it's they're duty in life to judge and critic everyone else and even to go as far as making sure everyone around them knows their opinion. While I obviously agree pilots should abstain for any substance that affects their abilities, whatever you've done in the past should have no bearing on you becoming a pilot. Losers like this guy give pilots a bad rep, you're going to be just an average guy and whatever you did in the past is your own business.

On the plus side, the company I work for allows you to include the name of guys like this in your bid and they will make every effort to avoid pairing you two together.

[xsbank]

This planet. My last great aviation employer gave me a pre-employment drug screen. You will find many corporate companies do too. Same reason some will breathalyse you before you get onto the airplane.

I don't actually GARA if you smoke or snort or pull your wire in the cockpit, I just really hope you are not driving me to Paris this fall. I managed to stay sober for all my work life but like I said, go crazy.

Try answering yes to a US border guy and see what happens. Also, the US randomly tests pilots for drugs. Have fun with that.

Go crazy you little snowflakes, I know you are convinced that your tiny lives are more important than your crew or those in the back.

[co-joe]

This thread is super funny. Thanks for the laughs degenerates.

I actually had this exact conversation with the lady who does our company drug testing. She felt that companies in the future regardless of federal law will be able to prohibit any drug use by their pilots, test for it, and terminate or require treatment. The example she gives is that any OTC meds that impair flying ability can be prohibited and tested for.

Drugs like ambien, even antihistamines that make you drowsy, and are perfectly legal, can be seen to be hazards to flying and can be tested for.

[Cat Driver]

double post.

[Cat Driver]

How many here see nothing wrong with a professional pilot using marijuana?