By Tyler Marr

Cannabis legislation will create challenges: Sask. Chamber CEO

Mar 16, 2018 | 5:00 PM

As the country grinds closer to marijuana legalization, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to have prudent policies in place.

From workplace health and safety to a duty to accommodate cannabis for medical use, CEO Steve McLellan said many challenges will accompany the opportunities this summer with the new law.

“When it is legal, the world will change at least for a while,” he told members of Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce Friday.

Citing a lack of information from various levels of government around work-place related cannabis legislation, the provincial Chamber outlined six recommendations employers should undertake. They include periodic updates and adaptations of clear drug and alcohol policies, addressing medical and recreational cannabis use separately, understanding health benefit programs relating to medical cannabis, and rolling out drug testing procedures. McLellan said employees will have to decide on what cannabis impairment looks like and how to deal with it appropriately.

“What does it mean if your employees go outside a building and smoke cigarettes — are you going to allow them to smoke marijuana and come back to work?” he said. “From a consumer perspective, will a hotel allow people to smoke pot in their rooms? They need to be aware of those things.”

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Members are encouraged to be proactive and prepare legislation for July 1. McLellan said while the law may not change, the habits of people may. While some current impairment policy can be adapted to fit marijuana, McLellan said certain industries will also have to address levels of impairment, similar to that of alcohol. He said many businesses follow a practice that allows employees to consume up to two drinks over lunch and return to work. Adapting a policy similar to this for marijuana, he said, could be difficult.

“The way we measure marijuana [impairment] is much more difficult,” he said. “Whether you had marijuana yesterday and it is still in your system, are you still impaired?”

The question, he said, will be up to employers to ask: Are you too impaired to do the job?

“If it is a safety-sensitive job, say you are in a mine site or using large equipment, that is different, perhaps, then raking grass,” he said.

Cross-border travel for employees who use marijuana, as users can be barred from entering the U.S., is another issue top of mind for businesses.

However, the Chamber sees various opportunities in legalization. McLellan applauded the government for opting for a private sales model, saying entrepreneurs having an opportunity to sell product or peripherals will make good business.

Owner of Paintball Paradise, George Lewko, who was in the crowd said he is slightly concerned with legalization, not only for his employees but for impaired patrons attending his business, too. 

“We haven’t had much of that … but things could change dramatically,” he said. “Safety is what we are all about.”

Lewko said he already has a rather detailed policy manual, but did note it will need to be updated to cover specifics.

The local chamber is hosting a more in-depth full-day workshop on cannabis workplace policy on March 27.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr