Cannabis in the Ontario Workplace – An Update

Bottom Line

The federal Cannabis Act, which received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018, makes recreational cannabis legal in Canada as of October 17, 2018. To prepare for this new reality, Ontario employers should take the time now to review, update and/or create new policies so all employees are clear about what is and isn't allowed when it comes to cannabis use in your workplace.

An employer is obligated to provide a healthy and safe workplace to all workers

Not surprisingly, many employers fear the cognitive and psychomotor effects cannabis use will present in the workplace. The effects of cannabis use are problematic given an employer is obligated to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of a worker.