A couple of weeks ago I posted an article discussing how the company O.penVAPE drug tests it’s employees. O.penVAPE wasn’t testing for cannabis, but they were testing employees for other drugs, regardless of the employee’s work performance. Per O.penVAPE’s drug policy at the time, “No employee is permitted to consume, possess, sell, purchase, or be under the influence of dangerous drugs.” As a Libertarian minded individual, I don’t think it’s anyone’s business what employees do when they are away from work, as long as it doesn’t affect their work performance. I also have a big problem supporting drug testing companies, because after all, they have always helped lead the charge against marijuana reform. Every dollar that O.penVAPE was giving to drug testing companies was a potential dollar that could be spent to fight marijuana reform.
I understand the need to have a safe workplace, especially for a company like O.penVAPE that works with potentially hazardous chemicals and processes. However, that safety needed to be balanced with a an approach that was less invasive into the lives of their employees, minimized financial support to marijuana reform opponents, and was more effective than a ‘piss test for all’ policy. I’m extremely happy to report that O.penVAPE heard what activists and organizations had to say, and have changed their policy to a more impairment-based policy. National organizations like NORML helped O.penVAPE understand why their policy was flawed, and gave input on how to craft a better policy.
There was a constructive conversation that resulted in the activists and organizations learning more about O.penVAPE’s side of things, in addition to O.penVAPE learning how to best approach the issue of workplace safety as it relates to substance testing. I’m very happy that things worked out. As I said in my original article, prior to reading about the former drug testing policy, I always considered myself to be the biggest O.penVAPE fan. I got an O.penVAPE pen as a gift quite awhile ago, and have brought it with me on all of my travels to events, and would use it on breaks and lunches at work. In case people are wondering, my work has an impairment-based drug testing policy. So I can get as high as I want on breaks and lunches, as long as it doesn’t affect my work performance ;)
I am giving my full endorsement to O.penVAPE. I don’t do this because I’m paid to (I’ve never received even one penny from O.penVAPE), I do this because O.penVAPE has a superior product and sensible leadership. O.penVAPE truly values the activist community, and truly believes in reform, proven by how they have handled this matter. I will continue to use my O.penVAPE pen as much as CO2 marijuana concentrate availability in my area allows. Which isn’t much…When is O.penVAPE coming to Oregon!? (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Thank you O.penVAPE for listening to the activist community, and keep up the good work! Make sure to check out O.penVape, and show them some love!
