Cannabis legalization presents a new topic to be addressed in Canadian workplaces.1 At the time of writing, the federal government has stated that legalization is due to come into effect in October 2018. Specific legislation will be put in place by individual provinces and territories, rather than the federal government. Cannabis legalization has sparked many new conversations across the nation, including those conversations related to workplace health and safety. It’s important to be aware of how cannabis use affects your safety and that of your colleagues on a day-to-day basis in the lab. You can assist your organization by contributing to policy revision and preparing for discussions about cannabis use in the lab.
Since 2001, medicinal cannabis has been legal, well regulated and used to treat a wide variety of health conditions. While medicinal cannabis is legal, the legislation does not allow a worker to be impaired at work or to endanger their safety or the safety of others. This system is in place to prevent the introduction of additional hazards in the workplace as a result of cannabis use.
The two cannabinoids most commonly used for medicinal purposes are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient, and cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-psychoactive. It’s possible to smoke, swallow or vaporize cannabis; each method of consumption affects the worker in a different way. Longer-lasting effects are found after swallowing cannabis. It is a cause for concern that some people have lower tolerances thus experiencing the effects of THC for longer periods. Screening for THC shows it is detectable for up to four weeks post use.
From a safety perspective, it’s important that high quality information is widely shared and opinions that are biased or non-factual are purged. There are many resources available to Canadians that enable meaningful conversations. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has a resource website (https://www.camh.ca/) and has published “Lower-risk cannabis use guidelines”.2 Separately, the federal government has published information on cannabis impairment and safety risk.3
Cannabis use can impair a person’s ability to drive and operate equipment. It’s worth remembering that impaired driving is a criminal offence with serious implications.4 If you are a medical laboratory professional (MLP) in a rural setting where driving is a part of your employment, it is especially important to be aware that recreational use may impact your employment. Your organization may also have policies in place regarding working while impaired.
Cannabis use also leads to increased risk of falls and other incidents because it affects:
- coordination
- reaction time
- concentration
- decision-making abilities
- ability to judge distances
Within your organization, it’s likely that human resources professionals are leading a review of current policies against the new regulatory framework.5 To be a part of the conversation, you can offer to be a worker, supervisor or health and safety committee representative. Your research and analytical skills will be highly regarded if you become part of such a working group. It will also give you the opportunity to engage with other professionals, including representatives from management, labour relations and legal. You and your colleagues are part of a team effort to maintain healthy and safe working conditions in the laboratory. We all know there are many factors that affect the safety of the workplace. Some of the more familiar factors are fatigue, alcohol, medications, substance use, etc. In addition to these factors, reducing the risks associated with legalized cannabis is a necessity in the modern working environment.
Some of the suggested safety tips for recreational cannabis use include:
- abstain
- reduce frequency
- use low-potency
- acknowledge high risks (e.g. cardiovascular disease and pregnancy)
At present, there are no accepted tools in place to measure THC in the system of a driver who has been stopped in their car on the road; these analytical tests are undergoing research and development. Looking to the future, there will be growing opportunities for cannabis testing programs across each jurisdiction. Some of those programs may involve private or publicly funded enterprises.6 MLPs in these organizations may be directly dealing with cannabis products, derivatives, metabolites or other samples to determine product quality or as part of health surveillance programs.7
Before this takes place, lab personnel need to be fully involved in discussions regarding hazard assessment and control. As new practices are implemented, you may have an opportunity to set up equipment, validate assays and provide feedback on procedures. Look for that growth opportunity and ensure you’re placing your safety and that of your colleagues front and centre. Using your skills and knowledge as a trained professional, you can play a role in reducing safety concerns surrounding legalized cannabis.
Eoin O’Grady
PhD, CRSP
Occupational Health and Safety Consultant to CSMLS
References
- Health Canada. Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation. (2018). Retrieved from www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/ services/drugs-medication/cannabis/lawsregulations/task-force-cannabis-legalization-regulation.html
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. (2018). Retrieved from www.camh.ca/-/ media/files/pdfs—reports-and-books— research/canadas-lower-risk-guidelinescannabis-pdf.pdf
- Health Canada. Cannabis Impairment and Safety Risk. (2018). Retrieved from www. canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/ drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/ impairment-safety-risk.html
- Energy Safety Canada. Cannabis-Impaired Driving. (2018). Retrieved from www.enform. ca/files/Safety_Bulletins/Safety_Bulletin_-_ Cannabis-Impaired_Driving_-_17-2018.pdf
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Workplace Strategies: Risk of Impairment from Cannabis. (2018). Retrieved from www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/cannabis_whitepaper.pdf
- Health Canada. Laboratories licensed to conduct activities with cannabis. (2018). Retrieved from www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/list-licensed-dealers.html
- Association of Public Health Laboratories. Guidance for State Medical Cannabis Testing Programs. (2016). Retrieved from www.aphl. org/AboutAPHL/publications/Documents/ EH-Guide-State-Med-Cannabis-052016.pdf
This article was originally published in the Canadian Journal Of Medical Laboratory Science (CJMLS), Vol. 80, no.3 (2018). It has been republished here with permission.