Legalized Marijuana – Another Balancing Act For Employers

On April 13, 2017, the Federal government introduced two long-promised bills that, if passed, would lead to Canada becoming one of the few national jurisdictions to permit the legal growth, possession and recreational consumption of marijuana. What was initially branded as a key election promise could become a regulatory maze that several levels of government, police and private enterprise will have to learn to navigate. The government's goal is full implementation by July 1, 2018.

Safety is a key aspect of the government's legalization efforts, and the proposed law could provide police with significant authority to conduct legal roadside saliva tests on all drivers based on a reasonable suspicion that the driver has drugs in their body.