![]() April 20th marks the pseudo-international holiday for cannabis culture, known in many communities as “420” (pronounced four-twenty). In several cities around the world, people gather to both celebrate, smoke and peacefully advocate for the legalization of cannabis. In Canada, the largest gatherings on April 20th take place in Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton. One only need do a simple Google search to realize the growing following for this festival like gathering of music, vendors, booths, official sponsors and prominent speakers. When Canadian users gather for this year’s “420” however, they will have a different, long-anticipated reason to celebrate: the April 13th Liberal announcement of the legislation which decriminalized marijuana. This announcement set many Canadian employers ablaze with questions as to how they are required to respond to the changing legal and social Canadian landscape. What does the legalization of marijuana mean for Canadian employers? The first thing employers need to realize is that the current legislation is merely a stepping stone for the legalization of recreational marijuana as the actual laws regarding the production, use, sale and distribution will fall to provincial legislation and likely not until July 2018. This means that before Canadian employers become dazed and confused, they have time to prepare their businesses for the pending legal and social changes. One major change employers should recognize is the social shift away from conservative views on recreational marijuana. Does this mean employers should be prepared to excuse unsafe behaviour of stoned workers? Of course not! It means that employers should review and modify their workplace policies and procedures to reflect the removal of references to marijuana usage as “illegal”. Employers will still have the right to restrict the use and possession of marijuana in the workplace. Specifically, Ontario employers should be aware that the same restrictions of smoking tobacco in the workplace will apply to the smoking of marijuana. Employers also have the right to discipline employees for recreational use of marijuana if the impact of the drug impacts performance, just like with alcohol. However, also just like with alcohol, employers are required to accommodate disabilities to the point of undue hardship, which means employers need to be mindful of the use of marijuana to treat certain medical conditions and illnesses. Human Rights legislation would therefore suggest the range of accommodation would depend on an employer’s financial ability to accommodate, the type of work performed and the impact of marijuana use on the employee’s essential duties. Employers should be aware however that such accommodations should be balanced with their broader duty to provide a safe workplace under section 25 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. This means that with safety-sensitive occupations, such as those involving heavy equipment, a balanced approach is required when accommodating medical marijuana in the workplace. Employers should also be aware that not every government agency is prepared for the implications and consequences of the Cannabis Act. For instance, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act does not have specific policy regarding the use, distribution or coverage of medical marijuana. Currently, the Tribunal approach to the entitlement for medical marijuana is as follows:
Employers should remember that until all the above potential changes officially come into force, current restrictions remain in place. However, it is in their best interest for employers to begin reviewing and amending their policies and procedures to reflect potential workplace changes. Do you have questions regarding medical or recreational marijuana in the workplace? Contact Anna Aceto-Guerin at Clear Path Employer Services with your questions or concerns. We'd love to connect with you!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
September 2017
|
Clear Path Employer Services
295 Thompson Drive, Unit 2 Cambridge, Ontario N1T 2B9 T: (519) 624-0800 T: (888) 336-0950 F: (519) 624-0860 E: info@clearpathemployer.com Website created by:
Absolutely Business Copyright 2017 |
|
Hear More About Us:
Spread the Word:
Policies and Information:
|