[samizdis]

Yes, there are legitimate reasons to test for the use of particular drugs - and in the case of marijuana, operating heavy plant, or flying aircraft, or driving trains etc, would qualify; anything where alertness and reaction time is crucial.

I'd quibble, though, with your statement: "... because drug users can and will steal you blind if they are addicted enough."

It is important not to lump all drug use together. There is a huge difference between marijuana use and use of heroin, or other opiates, which are extremely physically addictive and which do cause users in withdrawal to turn to crime to rob you blind for the next fix.

Alcohol addiction is also physical, and the need for alcohol by addicts craving a drink creates lots of petty crime.

Marijuana is not physically addictive, and users do not suffer from withdrawal symptoms/effects. Burglary and violent crime are just not fuelled by marijuana use in that way.

[ModernMech]

> users do not suffer from withdrawal symptoms/effects

I smoke a lot of weed. Withdrawal isn't a big deal, but it is a thing. It's closer to caffeine withdrawal than alcohol/nicotine withdrawal though. Symptoms I've experienced when taking a break are typically irritability and insomnia for about a day or two. And of course cravings over the longer term which often brings me back.

[samizdis]

I should have been clearer in that I meant physical withdrawal - where your body needs a substance, previously provided externally by the drug, to function. So someone accustomed to heroin use will suffer jangly nerves (among many other things) when it isn't in their system. See [1].

Similar, if lesser, physical effects happen to those with an alcohol dependency when alcohol is suddenly cut off [2]

These things are physical, not just psychological. I'm an inveterate cannabis user, and have been since the age of 15, with a happy daily habit uniterrupted for years until I went to work in Qatar for just over a year. No cannabis was available, but I had no physical ill effects - was just grumpier and less chilled in general. Similarly, currently locked down and away from my usual habitat, I've not had a spliff for quite a few months. Again, I miss the vibe etc, but I am not in any physical pain.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid_withdrawal

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_withdrawal_syndrome

[tmp20210207]

i have never heard of a drug that has side effects listed as 'withdrawl may cause crime' though...