Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stu32]

Before I say anything else can I please appeal to all those posters with hardline conservative stances on marijuana to keep their comments to themselves. The information contained in other threads on this topic have been diluted with "druggie go home"type nonsense and I hope we can avoid that here.

This thread is for all those reasonable people who like to smoke a little with their friends.

I am fully aware that it will not be possible to partake once in Korea, however I would love to get a definitive answer on how careful one has to be before arriving in Korea / during vacations home once there.

Despite the official stance that cannabinoid tests have been removed are they still liable to test for it? If so is it a blood or a pee test? Did they remove the cannabinoid test because they'd have to send too many teachers back home if it were included?

I am specifically curious about EPIK, where I believe the medical tests are carried out during orientation week (thereby rendering useless the advice often given to wait as long as possible before the medical.)

One other thought - is it possible to get the medical done in your home country and notarized/apostilled ?

Unless I can get any definitive answers I will obviously play it safe and refrain from smoking for at least a month before my arrival. However it would be wonderful if such a definitive answer were out there so we could all relax a little!

Thanks in advance for any sensible contributions to this

[T-J]

You have forgotten that many of our Korean "hosts" read these boards. Regardless of what we expats might think about you and the choices you make, I want to thank you for reaffirming what so many Koreans already think with the concerns you have posted.

Good job, thanks for helping.

Oh, the answer to your question is no it is not included on the test, but every Korean will think you are a drug user for unknown, unsubstantiated, and unfair reasons that many attribute to racism. Or you might just be a drug user. Go figure.

[stu32]

[DorkothyParker]

EPIK has been pretty open about drug testing in the orientation in the past from what I've read. Although, I have seen some hilarious but weird job ads asking if you can "pass a drug test three months after arrival." A bit too honest and lenient me thinks.
You won't be smoking in Korea; now is a great time to stop anyway. You can use the time to practice your drinking for when your co-teachers invite you out on a Friday night. Or, you know, reading or knitting or something.

[stu32]

Thanks a lot for the helpful reply

[DorkothyParker]

I'm not a reliable source.
However, someone told me a couple years back when they went, they did it during that initial period. Some dude was sent home.

When are you visiting friends? If you don't smoke before or after, you might be able to cleanse your system. How long has it been since you smoked?
Time is best, but you can try diluting with water and LOTS of exercise. I'm wondering since it's fat soluble if eating olestra would help. I'm going to Google now!

(Yes I smoked in my youth, no I do not now or recently.)

[stu32]

Thanks for all the helpful advice DorothyParker

Yeah, I'll be with my old friends for most of the next couple of months, and it's not like I'd be on some kind of binge, but I know it will be around.

How long of a break I guess is dependent on whether they look for it in your blood, or just your pee, or not at all as their "no cannabinoids test" statement would suggest....

If only there were some way of getting a definitive answer....

[D.D.]

[the oak llama]

OP you look familiar...

It makes me nervous because it's a technicality that you're banking on.

Immigration allows for the cannabinoid screen to be omitted. EPIK is hiring you, they may still have the right to test for it, just like any other employer. You know how uncool Korea is about drugs in the first place.

dunno man.

Partying is fun, but for me it wouldn't be worth being nervous about losing the job on the plane ride over and all the way up until you get the test done.

Best of luck to you,

Johnny Cautious

[agoodmouse]

What you're dabbling in is better suited to a child and is neither a novel nor an intelligent life choice. Those are the startling facts.

It is time to grow up, face the facts of life, and start acting like you owe the rest of your life a few long-term benefits (e.g. the absence of a criminal record and/or black marks from Korean Immigration), instead of steering your ship toward all things serving your need for instant gratification.

You're not Will Smith from Men In Black. (Obviously, you've posted this message of yours because you're not as smart on Immigration policy as you hope you are.)

You can't get away with everything anymore and people are beginning to view you as a dumb adult who hasn't grown out of his/her misguided, callow ways.

Think to yourself about what others are doing right and what you're doing wrong.

Now, make a choice, taking mine and others' advice to avoid illegal activities and, at the very least, your hopes that the off-and-on hodgepodge of immigration policies won't ensnare you.

Take my words not with a grain of salt. You're risking your very existence (i.e. the hope of a bright future).

[Iamronin11]

you should smoke a big fat doob right before you leave. most likely they wont even find traces of it.

[T-J]

[stu32]

Apologies for letting slip my opinion that used in the right way by the right person mj can be "pretty harmless".

I did say "pretty harmless" anyway...of course it can be very bad and life destroying for some people but then so can alcohol.

Could have done without all the moralizing and facetious comments. I have no wish to impose my world view on anyone else...I was merely asking for clarification on practical matters on what is clearly a grey area in the E2 immigration process.

The last few threads in this post (with the exception of the oak llama's) have been utterly unrelated to these pragmatic issues.

(Incidentally, these friends I enjoy an occasional smoke with are lifelong friends I have known since I was 4 years old!)

For what it's worth - I don't plan on taking any chances on this matter. That's precisely why i started this thread - in the hopes that there may just be a definitive answer out there. In the absence of that I will certainly play it extremely safe in order to successfully embark on a fun new adventure in Korea.

[megandadam]

just do what you want to do before you come here. quit a couple weeks in advance. you can't smoke here, and what you do find isn't worth it.
it's like any other job where you simply can't do drugs and expect to keep a job, so treat it like that.

the knowledge on here about whether or not they will test for it is cloudy at best. some people say they do, others say they don't; others have said they have asked the hospital not to include it and they have omitted the info from the employer; the korean government website said they don't require it anymore.... like i said above, get your smoke in now and stop with about a week or two before and you'll be fine (might be longer depending on your body type).

also, for this substance, it's more about the users personality than the qualities of the drug itself. anyone who says otherwise is deluding themselves.

that's my opinion.

[stu32]

Many thanks for the helpful, sensible and mature response megandadam

Makes a nice change after some of the stuff that has been spewed forth thus far in this (and other) threads.

Ya, I figured that no concrete answer would ever be available and I planned on playing it even safer than you suggest (not smoking anything for at least a month prior and I have a fairly thin body type).

I guess the length of time just depends on the type of test. But I guess ones should treat it as a a blood test as who knows what they look for in the blood they do draw.