# Piss test for presidential candidates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 4, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641 "2016-10-04T17:33:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/1 "2016-10-04T17:33:25Z")
If Joe Blow has to take a piss test to drive a forklift, is it unreasonable to require one for those seeking to possess the nuclear code? ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/2 "2016-10-04T17:54:28Z")
Yes it’s unthinkable. Who exactly is going to order the President and Commander in Chief to pee in a cup? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/3 "2016-10-04T17:58:25Z")
Relocating from IMHO to Elections. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/4 "2016-10-04T17:59:04Z")
I can’t find a cite, but I believe it would be unconstitutional. Specifically, the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress and the states are not permitted to create any requirements to be president beyond those spelled out in the constitution - natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident in the USA at least 14 years. So it would take a constitutional amendment to make the candidates provide a urine sample. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/5 "2016-10-04T17:59:10Z")
Even if we scheduled a drug test as part of an election law, the known date would allow some amount of evasion. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/6 "2016-10-04T18:10:33Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I can’t find a cite, but I believe it would be unconstitutional. Specifically, the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress and the states are not permitted to create any requirements to be president beyond those spelled out in the constitution - natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident in the USA at least 14 years. So it would take a constitutional amendment to make the candidates provide a urine sample. It would, however, be constitutional to make it a ballot-access requirement; states have a rather wide range of discretion there. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/7 "2016-10-04T18:23:49Z")
Maybe it could be a requirement like tax returns and doctor’s notes are “requirements.” “I’ve released my full toxicology screen, and as the American people can see, I have no illegal drugs in my system. I wonder why my opponent won’t release his? Is there something that he’s hiding? Perhaps his results would explain his erratic campaign-trail behavior, as well as his many unconscionable 3am tweets.” Won’t happen, but might be fun to see. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/8 "2016-10-04T18:31:38Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I can’t find a cite, but I believe it would be unconstitutional. Specifically, the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress and the states are not permitted to create any requirements to be president beyond those spelled out in the constitution - natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident in the USA at least 14 years. So it would take a constitutional amendment to make the candidates provide a urine sample. A state couldn’t do it, but perhaps a party could make that a requirement to become their candidate? (probably not the Libertarians though…) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/9 "2016-10-04T18:53:44Z")
I think it’s a great idea. You have to be clean to flip burgers, but you can be high as a kite while running the country? (I know it will never happen.) But if it does and Hillary needs any tips, she can consult this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=803116). ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/10 "2016-10-04T19:00:52Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I can’t find a cite, but I believe it would be unconstitutional. Specifically, the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress and the states are not permitted to create any requirements to be president beyond those spelled out in the constitution - natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident in the USA at least 14 years. So it would take a constitutional amendment to make the candidates provide a urine sample. I don’t think it would be a “you must provide” thing, instead a “I released the results of my urine test, why won’t you release yours?” Peer pressure. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/11 "2016-10-04T19:55:55Z")
This would never happen, but: The Commission on Presidential Debates, plus all the major news networks that hosted the Primary Debates, could require a piss test before letting any candidate up on stage. They’re private organizations, they make the rules on who shows up to those things (they may have issues with that equal time requirement, but I dunno how that works to be honest). Given how much the debates tend to move the poll, refusing to show up because you don’t want to take a piss test would be electoral suicide. But none of the organizations would dare try this, for either the loss in ratings or the loss in prestige. ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/12 "2016-10-04T19:58:11Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > If Joe Blow has to take a piss test to drive a forklift, is it unreasonable to require one for those seeking to possess the nuclear code? Nope, it’s not unreasonable. And the solution is to get rid of the piss tests for the Blows. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/13 "2016-10-04T20:08:43Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I think it’s a great idea. You have to be clean to flip burgers, but you can be high as a kite while running the country? (I know it will never happen.) You don’t need to be clean to flip burgers and failing a drug test does not mean you’re high as a kite while doing your job. This is just as silly as the “let’s make them pass a civics exam style debate” thread. Just because Trump may be a drugged up dummy doesn’t mean we need a whole bunch of stupid new traditions to weed out the next Trump. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/14 "2016-10-04T22:11:50Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > You don’t need to be clean to flip burgers and failing a drug test does not mean you’re high as a kite while doing your job. This is just as silly as the “let’s make them pass a civics exam style debate” thread. Just because Trump may be a drugged up dummy doesn’t mean we need a whole bunch of stupid new traditions to weed out the next Trump. Awww… you thought I was being serious. :rolleyes: I just wanted an excuse to cite my peeing thread. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/15 "2016-10-04T23:03:52Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Peer pressure. If you meant that pun, I applaud you. If you didn’t, then I’ll say it - you mean “Pee-er pressure!” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/16 "2016-10-05T02:54:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Yes it’s unthinkable. Who exactly is going to order the President and Commander in Chief to pee in a cup? I said “candidates”, not the President, if that makes any difference. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2016, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/17 "2016-10-05T07:14:37Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > It would, however, be constitutional to make it a ballot-access requirement; states have a rather wide range of discretion there. States tried the ballot access argument when they tried to impose term limits on Congress. It didn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/18 "2016-10-05T16:43:43Z")
This is almost as bad idea as those Facebook memes we all know that go “If I have to get drug tested to work, they (meaning blacks) should have to get drug tested to collect welfare”. Yeah, right. Tell little Johnny he can’t eat because mommy smoked a joint. No, we can’t impose requirements on presidents beyond the constitution and this would be one of the sillier ones. I think with all the meds that JFK and FDR were on, this might have been tough for them. I’d like to see an end to drug tests altogether except for pilots and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/19 "2016-10-05T17:29:10Z")
> [@Randolph](#): > > Nope, it’s not unreasonable. And the solution is to get rid of the piss tests for the Blows. All the talk about drug testing is very misleading. What we are really talking about is testing for marijuana use. Almost all of the other commonly used illegal drugs are out of your system in 1 to 4 days. Have fun Friday night on cocaine, heroin or amphetamines and unless you are tested the first thing Monday morning you are going to pee and pass. It is only pot that stays in your system longer. That is why all this drug testing is just bull shit. You are not going to catch someone using harder drugs unless they are actively _using on the job_. You just catch pot smokers. [http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-info/drug-book/viewall.html](http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-info/drug-book/viewall.html) > **[Drug Testing FAQs](https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-testing.html)** > > Frequently asked questions related to drug testing such as types of drug tests, test procedures, and how long drugs stay in your system. > **[Marijuana Drug Test Detection Times - CaNorml.org](https://www.canorml.org/employment/marijuana-drug-test-detection-times/)** > > Drug Test Detection Times: summary for different drugs and detection technologies. > **[Detection Time Frame | Employee Drug Testing, Workplace Drug Testing](https://www.ohsinc.com/detection-time-frame/)** > > How long do drugs stay in your system, Drug Detection Time-Frame But all companies that have contracts with or do business with the Federal government have to comply with the 1988 Workplace Free Drug Act. And all this testing has created another “necessary” industry that cannot be abandoned. > **[elaws - Page Not Found](https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/error-404.html)** > > Replace the word A hold over from Nancy Reagan’s “Just say no” years. “Thanks Obama!” omitted this time. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641/20 "2016-10-16T13:56:45Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > If Joe Blow has to take a piss test to drive a forklift, is it unreasonable to require one for those seeking to possess the nuclear code? Trump just proposed drug tests prior to debates [Trump suggests Clinton was on drugs during debates, says they should get tested next time.](http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/10/15/trump_suggests_clinton_was_on_drugs_during_debates_says_they_should_get.html) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/piss-test-for-presidential-candidates/767641.md?page=2)