want to join the Police force but have medical prob.

[c24]

I'm 22 and I want to join a bay area police force (probably SF or San Mateo) the thing is I have 3 medical problems.

1. tore ACL, but got fixed w/ surgery (right knee)

2. tore PCL, no surgery, went to physical thera. and OK to go (right knee)

3. I have a medical marijuana card for really bad migraines and because my body reacts bad (vomit and blackouts) to vicodin/hydrocodine. but I only use marijuana at night cuz thats when i get migraines (around 10-12pm everyday), just need it to fall asleep and thats it, dont use it for recreational fun just strictly for medication.

im really worried about problem 3, will it disqualify me. im not really sure about the law on medical marijuana, but i heard that employeers cant fire/disqualify someone as long as one doesnt "smoke" on the job.

and if what i heard was true, a police department might disqaulify me for something else like problem 1 or 2, even though my doctors (general doc, surgeon, physical thearpist) said I should be able to perform the duties as an officer just like anyone else.

what are your thoughts, thank you

[tward]

I'm NOT a law enforcement officer yet, nor very familiar with CA laws, but I'm guessing #3 is a job killer... there's other things you can take for migraines, if nothing else, you won't pass the drug test which I believe is mandatory for ANYONE seeking employment in Law Enforcement, it's my personal opinion that medical mj shouldn't be allowed anywhere.

Also, with #1 and #2, will you be able to pass the physical fitness exam the departments you are interested in use? (For more info, find their websites... it's usually listed there.)

[c24]

Also, with #1 and #2, will you be able to pass the physical fitness exam the departments you are interested in use? (For more info, find their websites... it's usually listed there.)

what do you mean "interested in use?" I asked my doctors (my general doctor, the surgeon, and physical thearpist) and they all said it should be no problem because I can do everything from running to swimming so im hoping those injuries wouldnt disqualify me.

I'll ask my doctor about alternative methods, but do you think my ACL and PCL injuries would be a problem? I didnt think it would be that big of a problem since my docs said it would be ok.

[SnapShawt]

First, YOUR doctors won't matter. An agency will send you to THEIR doctors and take THEIR advice.

Second, that marijuana use will do you in. I don't know the laws in CA when it comes to marijuana and the medical prescription for it, but I do know that a law enforcement agency is going to send you out the door regardless of what you heard. They're not going to have someone working them who smokes marijuana on a regular basis, medically prescribed or not. What happens when you're on the night shift (and you WILL be as a new boot) and you get a migraine? You just gonna puff on a joint right there in your patrol unit????

I empathize with your medical issues and wish you the best of luck, but this is one of those times I'd have to say that you need to find another career that interests you as the doors to this one will be closed to you.

[tward]

what do you mean "interested in use?" I asked my doctors (my general doctor, the surgeon, and physical thearpist) and they all said it should be no problem because I can do everything from running to swimming so im hoping those injuries wouldnt disqualify me.

I'll ask my doctor about alternative methods, but do you think my ACL and PCL injuries would be a problem? I didnt think it would be that big of a problem since my docs said it would be ok.

There's different physical fitness exams/standards out there, used by different departments, where you have to do XX amount of _______ in XX amount of time, for example, here's the one the U.S. Marshal's service uses (Sorry, I'm too lazy to look up the ones for the departments you are interested in for you, I just happen to have that one bookmarked!).

What you need to do is look up the department websites for the department's you are thinking of applying for, look at the fitness standards they use... figure out if you can or can't pass the fitness test before applying, you also don't want to barely scrape by... you want higher than necessary scores.

Also definitely look for another way to deal with the migraines, but realize, you might have to put the idea of becoming a LEO off for a few years... from what I understand, departments that allow you to have drugs in your background want you clean for a minimum of 3 - 5 years depending on the department (I think I even read 10 years somewhere, I can't remember off hand where though).

I'm sure a LEO can shed some more light on this, wait for a reply from someone with the "Verified LEO" tag in the top, right-hand corner of their post to reply, if you don't like my answers.
(Edit: Or take SnapShawt's answer, since I was multitasking too much to click post right away!)

Like I said in my first post, I don't know much about CA laws... nor am I a LEO yet, common sense tells me the "medical marijuana" will be a job killer though... for the same reason you don't hire a alcoholic to be a bouncer.

[Citicop]

You don't have a medical problem, partner.

You have an ETHICAL problem.
Possession and use of marijuana violates Federal Law, regardless of what your state or doctor says.

You freely admit to breaking federal law every day at 10-12 pm.

There is not one chance I would recommend you for hire as a Law Enforcement Officer.

If you REALLY want to get into LE, find a new way to deal with your migraines.

Citicop.

[tward]

Possession and use of marijuana violates Federal Law, regardless of what your state or doctor says.

I did not realize that was a federal law, I guess if I'd put much thought into it I probably would have, and probably would have done some digging, like I did after reading your post to find this.

I wonder why the DEA doesn't crack down on all the pot shops in CA... would be nice to see them shut down, and I can't say I'd mind seeing all the Dr's that have prescribed it loose their medical license. :p

[Roger Dat]

If you really wanted to be an LEO I cant see you accepting prescritpion marijuana as a remedy for an ailment. Not a smart move on your part. Going to take some MAJOR time for you to even have a shot but Im sure since you have ben suing for awhile you may have elimated yourself from most departments already.

[noelchabanel]

3. I have a medical marijuana card for really bad migraines and because my body reacts bad (vomit and blackouts) to vicodin/hydrocodine. but I only use marijuana at night cuz thats when i get migraines (around 10-12pm everyday), just need it to fall asleep and thats it, dont use it for recreational fun just strictly for medication.
what are your thoughts, thank you

It sounds like three possibilites are most likely true. Either
1. your doctor is a quack, or
2. you were excited about the opportunity to smoke pot "legally," or
3. both are true
There are many non-narcotic drugs used to treat migranes. People in other states get them, and they aren't moving to California in droves to get migrane relief. Most of the time narcotics aren't given for migraines anyway because the headaches can come back. Aspirin, Tylenol, etc. are typically reccomended first, and they may go on to try stuff like like Imitrex, or maybe other combinations of drugs usually used for other things that happen to help migraines too. Maybe you are a special case where nothing else worked and any dosage, who knows. But in that case, it would seem to me that debilitating nearly untreatable headaches would disqualify you...in addition to the marijuana. Find a new doctor before you really get sick and trust your life to this guy. Seriously.

[hitnrun]

I'm 22 and I want to join a bay area police force (probably SF or San Mateo) the thing is I have 3 medical problems.

1. tore ACL, but got fixed w/ surgery (right knee)

2. tore PCL, no surgery, went to physical thera. and OK to go (right knee)

3. I have a medical marijuana card for really bad migraines and because my body reacts bad (vomit and blackouts) to vicodin/hydrocodine. but I only use marijuana at night cuz thats when i get migraines (around 10-12pm everyday), just need it to fall asleep and thats it, dont use it for recreational fun just strictly for medication.

im really worried about problem 3, will it disqualify me. im not really sure about the law on medical marijuana, but i heard that employeers cant fire/disqualify someone as long as one doesnt "smoke" on the job.

and if what i heard was true, a police department might disqaulify me for something else like problem 1 or 2, even though my doctors (general doc, surgeon, physical thearpist) said I should be able to perform the duties as an officer just like anyone else.

what are your thoughts, thank you

As a peace officer in CA, I can tell you that you have about zero chance of being hired as a peace officer in this state. The habitual use of marijuana will be disqualifying at any department.

I too suffer from chronic migranes, however, I have not had to smoke weed to help me sleep because of them. I don't know why you only list vicodin/hydrocodine as options for treatment. Neither of those are prescribed as treatments for migraines anyways. There are plenty of safer and more effective alternatives that can help you sleep rather than just smoking weed.


Any dept. will see right through your BS about needing marijuana for migraines. Anybody that has ever suffered from chronic migraines will also see through your BS.

Keep tokin!:rolleyes:

[hitnrun]

If you really wanted to be an LEO I cant see you accepting prescritpion marijuana as a remedy for an ailment. Not a smart move on your part. Going to take some MAJOR time for you to even have a shot but Im sure since you have ben suing for awhile you may have elimated yourself from most departments already.

Just FYI, it isn't actually "prescribed" marijuana like any other Rx. The way the law is worded, it can only be given out by a licensed MD as a "recommendation" and not a Rx....because it really isn't an effective way to treat anything.

[noelchabanel]

I don't know why you only list vicodin/hydrocodine as options for treatment. Neither of those are prescribed as treatments for migraines anyways.

I think we all know why ;)

Keep tokin!:rolleyes:

:D

[c24]

ok I visited a different doctor (a holistic one) and she gave me some methods to do to try to manage the migraines. i will stop smoking and will apply after about 2-3years of being clean.

my next q is my problems 1 and 2. do you guys think that will be a problem? i saw the us marshalls fitness page (thank you tward) and i can perform at the top.
my stats are:
bodyfat: 4.9%
sit/reach: 23.2
push-ups: 88 (no time limit, 2 second hold at "up" position)
sit-ups: 75 (same rules as push-ups)
1.5 mile: 7.58

w/ these stats can I still get disqualified and if so is there a way to appeal it?

thanks

[ngcsubutterbar]

if you get debilitating migraines, you 'might' be screwed to begin with.






Fair warning. do not mention smoking an illegal substance again. This board is a good resource, I hope you read and learn a lot. However there are rules here and you're skating on this subject to begin with.

[jsk02a]

my stats are:
bodyfat: 4.9%
sit/reach: 23.2
push-ups: 88 (no time limit, 2 second hold at "up" position)
sit-ups: 75 (same rules as push-ups)
1.5 mile: 7.58

You seriously have 4.9% bodyfat percentage? That's unhealthy bro.

I do not live in CA, but I do study Federal Laws pretty closely, and while there is some confusion between the states that do allow medicinal use of Marijuana and the Federal Government, it's use is wholly illegal in all states regardless of what laws the State Legistatures pass. However, after you get clean and stay clean I would assume the issue of your "migranes" will be brought to light...

The migranes you describe seem to be disabilitiating and I could see a PD looking at those as a real problem...what happens if you get a migrane on the job? It will heavily impact your preformance and any drugs that you do find to help with it will cause an even further impairment. I feel for you on this issue, as my mother-in-law suffers from these types of migranes and they are quite disabilitating...but sadly, from my own civilian opinion, you are going to have some very high hurdles to overcome if law enforcement is indeed a career you wish to pursue.

Otherwise, other than the bodyfat percentage you seem to be AVERAGE physically. I would suggest gaining more good weight and working out more over the next few years and then trying to do this...I would also make an investment in REAL doctors (neuro doctors) to see what the hell is going on inside your head if you truly do want to pursue a career in LE.