A newly released guide is set to assist New Zealand employers and their staff in understanding how to handle medicinal cannabis in the context of workplace safety.
Sarah Helm, executive director of NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri, said the guide came about because employers and employees had consistently been reaching out for practical advice on the issue.
"New Zealand's prescription medicinal cannabis scheme is less than five years old, and it's clear that many employers are still trying to work out how medicinal cannabis fits into their workplace policies, especially when it comes to safety-sensitive roles," she said.
"At the same time, many employees are wary of disclosing a medicinal cannabis prescription for fear of additional scrutiny or even dismissal."
"While medicinal cannabis is not unique in its ability to cause impairment, its change in status from an illicit drug to one that can be legally prescribed has challenged traditional workplace alcohol and substance use policies. Some products prescribed do not contain psychoactive ingredients like THC, so a nuanced approach is needed."
To address these concerns, NZDF has worked alongside Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), law firm Dentons, and Māori and Pasifika Trades Training to produce Medicinal cannabis: A guide for employers and employees.
CHASNZ chief executive Chris Alderson said finding the right balance between managing impairment, acknowledging treatments such as medicinal cannabis, and treating workers with fairness and respect is essential.
"For higher-risk work, there is a need to ensure that employers and employees have a consistent approach to recognising impairment, for any reason, and responding in a rational, practical way," he said.
"To date there has not been much clarity around approach. The intention of this guide is to provide a basis for businesses to confidently address the legal presence of medicinal cannabis without stigmatisation or increasing the risk of harm occurring."
The guide covers what medicinal cannabis is and the reasons it gets prescribed, outlines the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees, and offers concrete steps for updating workplace policies and procedures to handle disclosure of medicinal cannabis use and address impairment on the job.
Writing on LinkedIn, New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council executive director Sally King said: "Congratulations to the NZDF team – this work has been in progress for well over a year. Delighted that this guide is to become available, it's essential reading for all employers and for employees who are medicinal cannabis patients."
