Marijuana and the Workplace: Issues, Impacts and Responsibilities

COURSE SUMMARY

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used mind-altering substances in the world. The laws on growing, selling, possessing and consuming marijuana vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. Whatever the law may allow in your area, having employees under the influence of marijuana can create problems for your workplace in terms of safety and lost productivity. In this course, you will learn how to lower the risks and respond to issues that may arise.

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

• Understand what marijuana and other forms of cannabis are and how they are used
• Understand how marijuana use affects a person physically, cognitively, and behaviourally
• Recognise the signs of marijuana impairment
• Define the potential issues marijuana use creates in the workplace
• Understand the legal rights of employers and employees with regards to cannabis use in the workplace
• Respond to incidents of suspected marijuana use in the workplace
• Develop a proactive workplace drug and alcohol policy

WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED

• Drugs and the Workplace
• Marijuana
• Workplace Impacts
• Medical Marijuana
• How to Intervene

COURSE OUTLINE

This workshop will help you teach participants how to:

• Understand what marijuana and other forms of cannabis are and how they are used
• Understand how marijuana use affects a person physically, cognitively, and behaviourally
• Recognise the signs of marijuana impairment
• Define the potential issues marijuana use creates in the workplace
• Understand the legal rights of employers and employees with regards to cannabis use in the workplace
• Respond to incidents of suspected marijuana use in the workplace
• Develop a proactive workplace drug and alcohol policy

You will spend the first part of the day getting to know participants and discussing what will take place during the workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to identify their personal learning objectives.

Drugs and the Workplace

This session will paint a picture of the prevalence of substance use-related problems in the workplace and the cost to employers in terms of lost time, decreased productivity, accidents, and other impacts.

Marijuana

What exactly is marijuana? Are the terms marijuana, hashish, and cannabis interchangeable? Students will learn about the cannabis plant, the products derived from it, and how they are used. They will become familiar with the lingo surrounding recreational cannabis use. Students will learn the short-term physiological, cognitive, and behavioural changes that take place, as well as the possible long-term impacts of cannabis use. They will learn the signs that indicate a person might be impaired.

Workplace Impacts

In what ways can marijuana use have a negative impact in the workplace? Students will discuss potential problems that can make the workplace less productive or cause legal headaches for the employer. An employee impaired by marijuana is an accident waiting to happen. Participants will identify the potential workplace hazards. They will develop responses to the myths that marijuana use is ‘not a big deal’ and ‘does no harm.’

Medical Marijuana

An employee has a license to use marijuana medicinally for a disability or medical condition. What does that mean for the workplace? Students will consider the rights and responsibilities of both employer and employee in this situation.

How to Intervene

You suspect an employee is coming to work high. Now what? This session will explore the steps to take. Participants will consider a variety of scenarios and determine the best ways of addressing the issue with the employee, helping the employee get assistance if there is a substance-abuse problem, and ensuring the incidents don’t recur.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Having an official drug and alcohol policy in place is one of the best ways for employers to be prepared for potential problems – or avoid them altogether. Students will learn the benefits of a drug and alcohol policy. They will develop an outline of what should be included in such a policy.

Workshop Wrap-Up

At the end of the course, students will have an opportunity to ask questions and fill out an action plan.