Most job prospects have had to drug test at some point in their professional careers. 56% of American employers have a mandatory drug screening before they will even consider hiring you.
Modern-day weed legalization is starting to change the narrative around testing for THC specifically. However, some jobs still have particular reasons for testing applicants for THC. Expect to drug test for state or federal jobs or jobs that involve heavy machinery and dangerous conditions. Luckily, there is still a litany of decent-paying jobs that do not bother with drug tests.
1. Chef
If restaurants tested their kitchen employees for drugs then they would never be able to fill out a staff. Anyone who has worked in a kitchen before will attest to this. Being a chef is a creative and rewarding career path for those with a passion for food and cannabis. Nowadays, some restaurants in legal states are looking to combine the two.
2. Restaurant Manager
As explained above, restaurants cannot afford to test their employees. This commonly includes all employees from the top to the bottom. Restaurant Manager is a position for those who are good at managing a team and setting schedules. Problem-solving and stress management are also a huge part of the job and cannabis is the perfect anecdote.
3. Caterer
Caterers do not necessarily work in restaurants but their standards generally align with those of chefs and cooks. A caterer job requires food skills and enthusiasm as well as some basic people skills.
4. Server
A continuing theme here: nobody in the foodservice industry is expected to take drug tests. They will expect you not to be high while working but outside of work what you do in your own time is irrelevant and that certainly applies to the serving staff.
5. Accountant/Bookkeeper
If you work as an accountant or bookkeeper for a company then they may decide to drug test you. However, if you are a contract accountant then you have no affiliation with a specific company and therefore they have no obligation to drug test you.
6. Information Technology (IT) Consultant
IT jobs are among the fastest-growing career opportunities. If you have a decent set of computer skills and personal skills then this could be a good career for you. IT consultants are not expected to drug test.
7. Audio Recording Engineer
Jobs in the music industry are available to people with specific skills in computer technology, software programs, and audio engineering. These jobs are for artists and creatives and therefore drug tests are simply not a part of the equation.
8. Event Planner or Consultant
If you are an outgoing, organized person who likes to assemble large gatherings then consider being an event specialist. The clients that hire you to set up their events are not going to expect you to have taken any sort of drug tests.
9. Computer Programmer
Job positions like programmers are similar to IT jobs and follow the same expectations. Most programmers are contract workers and therefore are not expected to drug test. If you work full-time as a programmer for a company then this may change, depending on the company standards.
10. Mobile Applications Developer
Mobile app developers are in high demand right now and companies can seldom afford to waste time and money to drug test them. Most app developers are self-employed and work from home, making drug tests irrelevant. If you have tech skills and want to be involved in cutting-edge development then look no further.
11. Web Designer/Developer
Similar to a mobile app developer, web developers and designers often are self-employed and therefore do not need to succumb to drug tests.
12. Graphic Designer/Illustrator
Graphic design and illustration continue our list of technology design careers and as you guessed, they do not drug test. This is a tech field that boasts more creativity than most so it is perfect for artists with good computer skills.
13. Video Game Designer
Companies that develop video games often craft workplaces that are fun and collaborative. While a few of them may test their applicants, most do not, and therefore if you like video games and ganja then you may have a match made in heaven.
14. Computer Animator or Visual Effects Artist
Applicants who have skills with 2D or 3D animation and special effects do not need to expect a drug test. Like with video game designers, the workplace atmosphere is more about enhancing creativity through collaborative means rather than having rigid policies against drugs.
15. Film Producer
Producing movies does not involve having to provide drug screenings. Artists in any field seldom take mandatory drug tests. Being a film producer takes a lot of determination and networking so do not expect to just fall into one of these jobs.
16. Fashion Designer
The world of fashion design is both glamorous and ganja-friendly. You could be a self-employed fashion designer or work for a company but just do not expect any drug tests.
17. Interior Designer
Very few design studios will ask their applicants to perform a drug test. If you have an eye for design and a concept of engineering then this is a good career for you. It is both creative and tangible.
18. Photographer
Most photographers are freelancers and therefore will never take a drug test in their professional lives. This is great because being creative has no bearing on being a drug-free individual. Being a photographer nowadays is easier than ever with the rise of user-friendly yet high-quality cameras.
If you want to become a photographer then go out and buy a camera and see where your imagination takes you.
19. Cosmetologist
Hairstylists, nail technicians, and other beauty professionals are not expected to drug test both before or during employment. You will be hard-pressed to find a salon that mandates their employees to test for drugs.
If you think beauty is only a hobby for you, think again. Having passion and skill for beauty techniques is the only requirement for this career path.
20. Skin Care Specialist
This job is similar to cosmetology but skincare clinics demand more medical expertise. Nevertheless, the requirements regarding drug screenings are the same; virtually non-existent.
21. Makeup Artist
Makeup artists are so good at their jobs that they oftentimes go unnoticed. When you see someone on camera they have most likely gotten some makeup done beforehand.
This job is great for creative types who have skills and experience applying makeup to all kinds of people. And of course, this artistic job does not require drug testing.
22. Actor
Actors are expected to do many different performances; drug testing is not one of them. You will find that many creative jobs do not require drug tests and for good reason.
23. Dog Trainer
Dog trainers will find themselves with a lot of work. Man’s best friend is a creature that most usually needs some form of training especially early on in their lives. Animal instructors play important roles in training dogs.
You are not likely to find any trainers being rejected for a job because of the drugs they may use in their own private time.
24. Personal Fitness Trainer
Many gyms and fitness clubs do not have drug-testing policies, so finding employment as a cannabis user should not be a problem.
25. Floral Designer
As you may guess, a job in which you arrange colorful bouquets all day is not one where you need to provide urine samples. Many floral shops are small businesses that do not prioritize drug screenings.
26. Journalist
Many media organizations have ditched their drug screening policies adding journalism to the list of weed-friendly jobs. Some major media corporations may still test job applicants for drugs, so know exactly who you plan to work for.
27. Real Estate Agent
Most real estate agents are independent contractors which means they have no company telling them to take a drug test. Being a real estate agent is a potentially lucrative field but getting work is highly competitive.
28. Writer
Technical writers, copywriters, screenwriters, creative authors, are just a few examples of writing jobs available. Most writers are self-employed so they do not need to be drug tested.
29. Car Sales Agent
To be a car sales agent you must have great communication and persuasion skills in order to make sales. There are not any education requirements nor are there any drug test requirements. Car lots do not care what you do in your private time as long as you sell cars.
30. Online Tutor
Online English tutors, especially for international students, is a fast-growing field. The work that you do with these individuals is done entirely online, therefore, there is no chance of having to take a drug test.
31. Social Media Marketing Manager
Companies now more than ever are desperately looking to find people who can represent their companies on the web. An online presence is of the utmost importance in today’s world.
Credentials for this career mostly include being social media savvy as well as friendly and considerate of the current political climate. These jobs are mostly done remotely and require no drug testing.
32. Online Vendor
Independent jobs such as selling items online require no drug screenings. There is hardly any background information needed at all to be an online vendor. Keeping your customer reviews positive is virtually the only ethical concern.
33. Bartender
Bartenders fall in the same category as food service employees in that they rarely ever get drug tested. Bartender applicants should be friendly and able to handle a fast-paced environment depending on their place of employment.
34. General Contractor
As a general contractor, you are your own boss and therefore answer to nobody. There are certain licenses and insurance policies needed to be a general contractor so if you have interest in this field make sure to do your bureaucracy homework.
35. Master Grower
A master grower oversees an entire growing operation. Management skills are important to have aside from being a green thumb. As you can probably guess, master growers, do not drug test.
36. Budtender
A budtender is the person behind the weed counter who dispenses the product to customers. They must be knowledgeable of all things cannabis as well as have a friendly personality.
Budtenders of course do not drug test because they are expected to sample the cannabis products to be able to recommend certain ones to customers.
37. Greeter/Receptionist
A greeter must be sociable, outgoing, and demonstrate the ethics of customer service. Some companies may test applicants for this position but the vast majority do not.
38. Temporary Services
A company can contact a temp agency to find qualified temporary contractors to do specific jobs for a set amount of time. Temp employees are not required to drug test.
39. Construction
Construction workers are only required to take a drug test if they hurt themselves or others while on the job and are claiming to serve a lawsuit against the company they work for. Employees that use heavy machinery probably have to take regular drug tests for common safety practices.
40. Landscaping
A landscaping job is usually free from drug testing. Employees usually work outside for their shifts which makes drug testing less of a liability. A company will immediately drug test an employee if they hurt themselves and threaten legal action.
41. Dancers/Exotic Dancers
The profession of dancing both artistically or exotically is one that does not get drug tested. Competitive dancing however may drug screen, especially for performance-enhancing drugs.
42. Drivers For Hire
Uber or Lyft drivers are gig workers and therefore are not drug tested.
43. Food Delivery Drivers
Just like the other food service jobs, delivery drivers do not have to worry about performing drug tests.
44. Electrician
Electricians may be tested if they are employed by private companies. However, electricians that are independent contractors do not get tested.
45. Plumber
Plumbers that are independent contractors do not get tested for drugs.
46. Canvasser
Canvassers are commission-based employees who go door-to-door to either sell merchandise or register people for charitable or political agendas. Canvassers are subjected to background checks because they have to go to people’s homes, but they are not drug tested.
47. Auto Mechanic
Some big companies may test their employees for drugs, but most auto shops do not test their employees.
48. Locksmith
We have all needed a locksmith at some time in our lives. Luckily for them, they are not tested for drugs in large part because they often are not in offices around other employees. Therefore what they do with their own time has no bearing on anybody else.
49. Farmer
Farmers are usually their own bosses and therefore do not have to drug test for any company. Farmhands that work for the head farmers also are not drug tested.
50. Dishwasher
Similar to the other food service jobs, dishwashers are not required to drug test. Frankly, restaurants notoriously have difficulty with keeping dishwashers around which gives them less incentive to potentially restrict the number of eligible candidates.
12 Companies That Do Not Drug Test
Most companies do not openly express whether or not they drug test potential applicants, as a result, creating a comprehensive list of employers that do not mandate drug tests is rather difficult.
That said, a few major companies are suspected of not having any drug-testing requirements. These sources have usually been current or former employees of those companies. But it is important to remember that the drug-screening policy of any given employer is always subject to change.
Here are a few large companies that have been mentioned by current or former employees as being places where drug testing is uncommon, does not exist, or is only done for those who drive or operate heavy machinery.
1. Google
Google is notoriously fun and a relaxed work environment. So it is not a surprise that they do not drug test their employees. Google headquarters is located in weed-friendly California which adds to the evidence that they just simply do not care about drugs, especially THC.
2. Chipotle
Chipotle has over 64,000 people working for them and none of them take drug tests. Chipotle has made Forbes’ list of best companies to work for multiple times. So as far as food places go, this may be one of the better ones to work for.
3. Apple
Much like most of the tech industry, Apple does not have a drug testing policy for current or prospective employees.
4. Starbucks
Based out of the weed-friendly pacific northwest, Starbucks does not knowingly drug test its employees.
5. Microsoft
Microsoft is keeping up with its competitors by disengaging from a drug testing policy.
6. Whole Foods
The store chain Whole Foods does not drug test employees or job applicants. Most grocery stores avoid a drug screening program.
7. Michael’s
Michael’s claims to be a relaxed work environment that includes no particular drug testing mandate.
8. Petsmart
Petsmart holds itself to high standards in the competitive pet supplies industry. However, this does not include testing employees. A love for animals is all you need to succeed.
9. Dick’s Sporting Goods
One of the more renowned sporting goods stores, Dick’s is a competitive work atmosphere but does not adhere to drug tests.
10. Target
This famous superstore has recently modernized its drug-testing program: except for warehouse employees, Target does not require drug testing for any of their employees.
11. Qualcomm
Qualcomm is a modern tech company that has a competitive hiring process that does not include drug screening.
12. Gap
Gap is also headquartered in weed-loving California. Naturally, this explains their lack of a drug-testing program.
