MARIHUANA IN THE WORKPLACE E.J.(Ed) Secondiak, C.D., CPCT, RNG President ECS Safety Services Ltd. 1
Individuals can ask a health care practitioner for medical marihuana to treat medical condition Practitioner can authorize for one year than it has to be reviewed
Authorized individuals can grow their own or have friend grow for them, limited # of plants Purchase from licensed producers Purchase or produce oils, fresh buds, leaves, dried marihuana
Medical Marihuana 1-3 gm per day 1 gm = 2 joints 150 gm possession THC start low and go slow
Marihuana Avg 20% THC Weed Oil Up to 70% THC Shatter (not common) 80 to 90% THC Medical Marihuana THC levels vary Dried material, buds, oils, inhaler 5
8-9 seconds user feels and exhibits effects 10 30 min peak effects are reached 2 3 hrs user feels and exhibit effects 3 6 hrs user feels normal User may be impaired for up to 24 hours 6
Dangerous as impairment is not recognized Direct impact on complex system of critical thinking skills and reflexes Impaired perceptions balance, motor coordination, reaction times, peripheral vision Rapidly changing emotions and erratic behavior Delayed decision making 20162015 7
Health Canada does not recognize marihuana as a therapeutic drug Does not have a DIN (Drug Identification Number) Called a substance 8
An employee in a safety sensitive position must be removed from duty if using Medical Marihuana until such time as medication no longer required An employee in a non safety sensitive position using medical marihuana must be accommodated to point of undue hardship 9
Lab positive for THC MRO review -use of medical marihuana MRO changes to negative result MRO issues safety letter 10
MRO advises use of prescribed substance may affect ability to perform safety sensitive duties Verify substance, remove employee from safety sensitive duties Duty to accommodate Short/long term disability, medical leave 11
Drug testing does not measure levels of impairment Measures to a standard IMPORTANT focus on standards 12
Bill to legalize marihuana to be introduced 4-20-2017 on National Marihuana Day Task Force report and recommendations Parliament & Senate debates > 13
Nothing changes with testing, test to standards Alcohol is legal and we test Employee education/notification Non safety sensitive positions 14
Define safety sensitive position Identify safety sensitive positions Policy applies to all employees Testing provisions only apply to safety sensitive positions Company will abide by Fed/Prov drug & alcohol laws and regulations 15
An employee in a safety sensitive position must be removed from duty if using Medical Marihuana until such time as medication no longer required 16
Use of prescription drugs, over the counter medications, prescribed substances No possession of alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia Employee (safety sensitive)required to disclose prescribed medical marihuana use 17
MRO issued safety letters Substance drug Consequences of policy violation Duty to accommodate Positives, refusals, self disclosures, MRO safety letters 18
To provide a safe productive workplace To deter drug use among potential or existing employees To foster public trust 19
P.O. Box 2109 350 Aquaduct Drive Brooks, AB. T1R 1C8 Ph. 403-362-5552 toll free 877-784-3784 www.ecssafety.com Questions? Concerns? Email ed.secondiak@ecssafety.com Grande Prairie, Nisku, Red Deer, Calgary, Brooks, Medicine Hat. LEADER IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES 20