1. 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

2. copyright (c) ECS SafetyServices Ltd. 2012

3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
(Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction)
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6. 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?
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7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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
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10. 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

11. 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
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12. MEDICAL MARIHUANA (test)
Lab positive for THC
MRO review - use of Medical Marihuana
MRO changes to negative result
MRO issues Safety Advisory
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. DRUG TESTING Drug testing does not measure levels of impairment
Measures to a standard
IMPORTANT – focus on standards
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16. DRUG TESTING GOALS To provide a safe productive workplace
To deter drug use among potential or existing employees
To foster public trust
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17. POLICY CONTENT/CHANGES
Define safety sensitive position
Identify safety sensitive positions
Policy applies to all employees
Testing provisions only apply to safety sensitive positions

18. 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

19. 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
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20. 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

21. 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
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22. ECS SAFETY SERVICES LTD.
P.O. Box 2109
350 Aquaduct Drive Brooks, AB. T1R 1C8
Ph Toll Free
Grande Prairie, Nisku, Red Deer, Calgary,
Brooks, Medicine Hat
LEADER IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
copyright (c) ECS Safety Services Ltd. 2017