By Victor C. Kirk
When I looked at that long orange hair and Ms. Piggy eyelashes as she crossed the 100-yard line to cement her place in the track and field history books, I concluded I am INCREDIBLY old school. I just could not internalize a link between her hair and her successful run. A true disconnect for me. I am accustomed to envisioning a female track and field star as a beautiful, slender, and incredibly physically toned and slightly muscular female whose extended leap across the finish line mimics the swift movements of poetry in action. A winners walk among her competitors displaying the grace that becomes a track star who left them all behind. An effortless run down the track with each step beckoning the authors of sports history books and network commentators to gasp for a moment jockeying to be in her face searching for the first comment or clue about how she managed to pull it off with all the worldly pressures abound. A hallowed trip to represent the nation at the Olympics in Japan. Quite an honor!!!
She ran straight to her grandmother and spoke so eloquently about her sacrifices, and then my heart stopped – her mother had died earlier, and she turned to her grandmother for the all too familiar WILL that they seem to conjure up whenever their grandchildren suffer a heartbreak.
The world applauded her victory and reports chronicled the running style but most often the color of her hair. She exudes the confidence of a champion and decided that her hair would represent her swift journey down the track further documenting that she had reached her envisioned speed – the speed to win. Flowing hair galloping in step with her steps and all for the cameras to not forget the actual length she passed them all. BUT, in less than 24 hours her world caved in. Pot – THC supplemented her grandmothers love but when found in the urine triggered a decision to remove her from her signature race – the 100. Whether or not she will be allowed to compete in another race – perhaps a relay at the Olympics is under consideration. Even President Biden could only say – “the rules are the rules”. I think the rest of the world let out a sign or groan for it felt like Muhammad Ali losing a title because he refused to fight in an unjust war. The saga of a uniquely challenged champion.
Pot is no longer a criminal offense in 18 states. Or rather an arrest would be labeled in the court system as a misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of $100 or so. But how employers respond to the “hit” you took over the weekend or last night remains unknown. There has not been a response to the issue of recreational marijuana or even medicinal uses by employees. I suspect we all must come to terms with its non-use by those who remain in the workforce or desire to enter the workforce at any time. There must be limits of acceptance and perhaps it may be by industry. Can a teacher teach high? Can a surgeon perform surgery high? Can a warehouse driver drive under the influence? Is it ok to sing the praises of the Lord high? Certainly, we do not expect to be pulled over by a law enforcement officer who then smells marijuana and asks if you have an extra joint?
The issue before us is whether employment standards must be adjusted. I am sure each industry is or has discussed whether employment drug screens that test for marijuana/THC will automatically trigger a second test in 6 weeks – the length of time for traces of the drug to leave the system? What about distinguishing between existing employees and new recruits? The issue of revising drug use policies in Corporate American remains a road less traveled but most assuredly the subject is under debate. We await a press release or a brave soul to report a termination or job loss after testing positive for THC. I suspect only the media is liberal.
