Cannabis (THC)
Cannabis in the Workplace: A Guide for Australian Businesses
Cannabis is Australia's most widely used illicit drug, with significantly higher usage rates compared to the global average.
This raises concerns for employers, HR personnel, and safety officers, as it suggests some employees may be using cannabis at work.
Understanding Cannabis:
What is it?
Cannabis, or marijuana, is a depressant drug that slows down the central nervous system. It appears in various forms, including leaves, flowers, and oils.
Medical vs. Recreational: Medical cannabis is prescribed for specific conditions, while recreational cannabis is used for pleasure. Both contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient, but medicinal varieties have stricter regulations and lower THC content.
Effects of Cannabis:
Short-term: Altered perception, impaired memory and coordination, increased heart rate, and decreased concentration.
Long-term: Respiratory problems, decreased brain function, motivational decline, reproductive issues, and (in rare cases) psychosis.
Impairment Duration:
Impairment from recreational cannabis use can last 5-12 hours, making it dangerous for tasks requiring focus and coordination.
Impact of Cannabis in the Workplace:
Reduced productivity and performance: Impaired cognitive function and coordination can hinder work quality and output.
Safety hazards: Increased risk of accidents due to impaired judgment and reaction time.
Financial and legal liabilities: Workers' compensation claims, accidents, and absenteeism can cost businesses dearly.
Identifying Cannabis Use:
While not definitive, signs like:
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Blood Shot Eyes
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Slurred Speech
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Memory Problems
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Increased Appetite
Managing Cannabis Abuse:
Develop a Drug & Alcohol Policy: Implement clear guidelines on substance use at work, including testing procedures and consequences for violation.
Educate Employees: Raise awareness about the risks of cannabis use and its impact on workplace safety and performance.
Offer Support: Provide resources and programs to assist employees struggling with substance abuse.
Protecting your Business:
By actively addressing cannabis use through preventative measures and proactive solutions, you can create a safer work environment, increase productivity, and reduce potential liabilities.
Remember: This information is for general awareness only and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with appropriate professionals regarding policies and practices related to cannabis in the workplace.
Synthetic Cannabis:
This highly potent and unpredictable drug carries even greater risks, including rapid heart rate, psychosis, and addiction.
How we test for Cannabis:
Testing for cannabis in the workplace is one of the best ways to keep your employees safe, healthy, and productive.
The most common cannabis testing methods are:
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Urine drug testing – This is the most common method used by employers. A cannabis urine test provides a window of detection that usually ranges from two to 30 days. However, certain factors like method and frequency of use, THC content, diet and body type can affect how long marijuana remains detectable in the body. Urine cannabis tests show that a worker is using marijuana, but don’t correlate well with impairment at the time of testing.
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Hair follicle drug testing – Compared to a urine test, a hair test for cannabis use has a longer window of detection. It can detect cannabis use for the past two to three months, and sometimes even longer. This longer window of detection makes it popular for use in pre-employment cannabis testing.
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Oral fluid drug testing – This is the least common method for cannabis testing. Less invasive than a urine or hair test, oral fluid testing or saliva testing has an approximate window of detection for cannabis of 12 to 36 hours and gives a reasonable match with the period of impairment associated with cannabis use.