Update on the Recent Webinar: Medicinal Cannabis in the Workplace
I wanted to share a quick update from the recent webinar hosted by Construction Health and Safety New Zealand, in collaboration with the NZ Drug Foundation, Māori and Pacifica trades, and supported by Dentons regarding NZ employment law on medicinal cannabis in the workplace.
Key Takeaway:
The main point emphasized was the importance of having a clear and robust drug and alcohol policy. This policy should outline the responsibilities of both employers and employees, especially in relation to medication disclosure and safety-sensitive roles. It also highlighted the need to address medications comprehensively within the policy.
Important Reminders:
- The privacy of medication information is paramount.
- Any positive drug tests should focus on assessing safety risks, not just proving impairment.
Notable Observations:
A key focus of the discussion was on proving impairment, but there was a lack of consideration regarding oral fluid drug testing. The conversation primarily centered on urine drug testing and the detection window for cannabis metabolites.
The guide presented was based on a similar UK guide.