Preliminary contract for firefighters and first responders addresses drug testing changes

SAN ANTONIO — After numerous discussions, the San Antonio Fire Department has signed a preliminary contract with the city that includes a compromise regarding drug testing.

“It was definitely a marathon session [on Friday]”said Joe Jones, president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association.

Among the various negotiating topics was the handling of the THC metabolite, which is sometimes contained in cannabis products.

“Firefighters, commonly considered tactical athletes, often use CBD oils to reduce pain and inflammation,” Jones said.

The firefighters' union had hoped that negotiations would remove the substance from the list of drugs that could show up on a drug test. But city officials were adamant about removing it entirely, saying they would not go along with it. So they eventually agreed to a compromise of sorts.

“As long as our firefighters and paramedics have a compassionate use card from a doctor in the state of Texas, a random drug test that indicates THC levels, for example, will not be considered a positive test for our firefighters,” Jones said.

“I think there was a consensus that this is both a practical and effective approach. We are committed to safety, and that is a shared commitment of both the city and the firefighters union,” said First Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Provencio.

Provencio said this compromise will help ensure no one can exploit the system.

CLICK HERE if you would like to read the full text of the preliminary agreement.

We have contacted each council member to find out how they view the further discussion.

“Once we have some good, solid data and understand the mechanisms by which they make it work, we should have that conversation, right?” said Eighth District Councilman Manny Pelaez.

Pelaez said ideally some data would come from cities that have already voted to remove THC metabolites from the list of drugs they look for in random drug tests. Jones said Austin is one of the Texas cities that has done so.

The contract will remain unchanged unless the city council or union members vote against it.