Puff Puff Pass - 5 Questions you should bring to the boardroom table about the legalization of weed

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Calling all HR Professionals, it’s time to light it up. Here is everything you need to know (right now) about the Cannabis Act coming to Canada this Summer.

The Cannabis Act seeks to legalize and regulate the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada. It us currently on track to becoming law in July 2018.

  • Adults, 18 years or older, would be able to legally possess and use cannabis. No person could sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 18.

  • Provinces, Territories and Municipalities will be able to set additional requirements or restrictions on cannabis laws.

  • Provinces and Territories will make decisions on where cannabis can be consumed in their jurisdictions.

EMPLOYERS will need to:

  1. To take every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of the workplace and continue to prohibit impairment on the job.

  2. The duty to accommodate disabled employees where drugs, including medical marijuana, is used to treat medical conditions that constitute as a disability.

The 5 QUESTIONS you should be bringing to the boardroom table prior to Cannabis Act taking effect:

  1. What are the rights of our employees?

  2. What is our policy around drugs/alcohol use? Do we want to define any policy at all?

  3. What are the guidelines for our leaders if they suspect an employee of impairment?

  4. What proof/documentation can we legally require of employees for use of medical marijuana?

  5. What does duty to accommodate look like?

This is one conversation you will want to be ahead of so your business doesn't go up in smoke. (I'm sorry I couldn't help it!)

Tess Sloane, Talent Lab

TechnicalTalent Lab