SWCB WORKSAFE REGIONAL WORKSHOP IMPACT OF CHANGING MARIHUANA LEGISLATION ON THE WORKPLACE E.J. (Ed) Secondiak, C.D., CPCT. ECS Safety Services Ltd. copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

copyright (c) ECS SafetyServices Ltd. 2012

COMMON FORMS OF CANNABIS Marihuana Avg 20% THC Weed Oil Up to 70% THC Shatter 80 to 90% THC Medical Marihuana THC levels vary Marihuana vs. marijuana copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

ONSET AND DURATION OF MARIHUANA EFFECTS 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 4 to 24 hours based on strength of drug and frequency of use copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

MARIHUANA USE 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 Delayed decision making Linked to workplace accidents and injuries Addictive, linked to increased risk of psychotic illness in those who are vulnerable Effects developing brain until age 25 http://www.ccsa.ca (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction) copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

MEDICAL MARIHUANA Health Canada does not recognize marihuana as a therapeutic drug Does not have a DIN (Drug Identification Number) Called a substance Short/long term disability coverage? copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

CURRENT REGULATIONS 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 Purchase from licenced supplier, can grow number of plants

RECOMMENDED DOSAGES Medical Marihuana (No DIN) 1- 3 gm per day 1 gm = 2 joints 150 gm possession Grow 5 to 6 plants THC – start low and go slow Medical Marihuana Prescription Plant material, oils, inhaler, pill Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vs. Cannabidiol (CBD)

CANNABIS ACT Grants significant authority to provinces and territories to regulate numerous issues (such as possession limits, age of legal possession, areas where cannabis can be consumed, among many others) Creates new offences related to exceeding specified drug levels in a person’s blood within 2 hours of driving copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

ALBERTA PROPOSED REGULATIONS Age 18 or over can possess up to equivalent of 30 grams of dried cannabis Individuals can grow up to four plants within a residence for personal use May be smoked in public places that also allow smoking of tobacco No smoking in a vehicle copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

POLICY CONTENT/CHANGES Legalization of marihuana No change to testing No use or possession on company sites, company vehicles or client sites Medical Marihuana Cannot work in a safety sensitive position with out appropriate medical approval copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

MEDICAL MARIHUANA (test) Lab positive for THC MRO review - use of Medical Marihuana MRO changes to negative result MRO issues Safety Advisory copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

MRO ISSUED SAFETY ADVISORY MRO advises use of prescribed substance may affect ability to perform safety sensitive duties Verify substance, remove employee from safety sensitive duties pending appropriate medical guidance Duty to accommodate Short/long term disability, medical leave copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

DUTY TO ACCOMODATE Remove from safety sensitive duty Provide Job description, PDA, ACPS Prescribing Med Cannabis Guidelines Request physician clearance indicating aware of above and ok to perform S.S. duties copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

DRUG TESTING Drug testing does not measure levels of impairment Measures to a standard IMPORTANT – focus on standards copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

DRUG TESTING GOALS To provide a safe productive workplace To deter drug use among potential or existing employees To foster public trust copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

POLICY CONTENT/CHANGES Define safety sensitive position Identify safety sensitive positions Policy applies to all employees Testing provisions only apply to safety sensitive positions

POLICY CONTENT/CHANGES Use of prescription drugs, over the counter medications, prescribed substances No possession of alcohol, drugs or paraphernalia Disclosure of Medical Cannabis use for safety sensitive / non safety sensitive positions copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

POLICY CONTENT/CHANGES MRO issued Safety Advisory Substance Drug Consequences of policy violation Duty to accommodate triggered by – positives, refusals, self disclosures, MRO safety advisory copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

ACCOMMODATION Safety Sensitive position – Positive test, refusal, disclosure Remove from duty, suspension with or without pay, issue ROE, direct to SAP Return to work conditions: attend for assessment, comply with recommendations, negative RTD test, follow up testing Non safety sensitive position copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

ACCOMMODATION Safety Sensitive position – Disclosure medical cannabis use Removal from duty pending medical clearance Provide job description, physical demands analysis, Alberta College of Physicians & Surgeons Guidelines for Prescribing Medical Cannabis Prescribing physician to confirm above & provide clearance letter Non safety sensitive position copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017

ECS SAFETY SERVICES LTD. P.O. Box 2109 350 Aquaduct Drive Brooks, AB. T1R 1C8 Ph. 403-362-5552 Toll Free 877-784-3784 www.ecssafety.com Email: ed.secondiak@ecssafety.com Grande Prairie, Nisku, Red Deer, Calgary, Brooks, Medicine Hat LEADER IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017