According to HRPA, Business of Cannabis and Public Services Health & Safety Association survey, a big chunk of employers are not at all prepared for the legalization of marijuana.
The survey found that 71% of employers are not prepared for how it will impact the workplace.
According to the survey, 47.8% of the respondents said that their most pressing issue was ensuring safe workplaces.
The survey was conducted this month and had 680 HRPA members respond.
“Employers are simply not yet equipped with the knowledge and the resources they need to ensure that their workplaces are prepared for legalized marijuana. Balancing these legal changes with the imperative to provide a safe workplace for all is a challenging transition – and employers need the right tools for the job,” said Scott Allinson, VP of Public Affairs at the Human Resources Professionals Association.
“The Canadian public is widely supportive of the decriminalization,” remarked Jay Rosenthal, Co-Founder and President of Business of Cannabis.
“However, BofC research suggests the industry could do more around safety and responsible use. With medical and recreational cannabis rates expected to rise, a deeper understanding and training is required for workplaces to effectively navigate forward. We look forward to working with HRPA and others like PSHSA to address these gaps.”
“It is important that workplaces focus on creating safe environments and helping workers stay healthy at work as we move through the transition to legalization,” also remarked Kim Slade, Director of Emerging Markets and Commercialization at PSHSA.
“While some workplaces feel they have policies and procedures in place to address health and safety concerns, others are looking for clarity on what legalization means to their workplace health and safety practices, specifically as it relates to safety-sensitive roles.”
