Safety, Compliance, and the Role of Testing
As highlighted in HR Leader’s recent article, “How medical cannabis is a legal minefield for Australian employers”, the increasing use of prescribed cannabis is creating complex challenges for organisations across Australia. At Alcolizer Technology, we see firsthand how these legal grey areas are impacting workplace safety, compliance, and policy & procedure development.
While Medicinal Cannabis (MC) may be legally prescribed, it doesn’t guarantee an employee is fit for duty – especially in safety-critical roles. THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, can affect performance and remain detectable after the effects wear off. This creates a difficult balancing act for employers – respecting employee rights while upholding their duty of care under WHS legislation.
Key Considerations for Employers
- Policy Clarity
Drug and alcohol policies and procedures must clearly define expectations around testing, disclosure, and the impact of ALL medication on safety sensitivity roles. - Fitness for Work
A prescription does not equal workplace readiness. Some duties cannot be performed safely, depending on the medication taken. Risk assessments should be based on role requirements and potential effects and in consultation with a Medical Review Officer/Occupational Physician. - Testing Limitations
THC detection does not correlate with impairment. THC detection cannot differentiate between legal and illicit use of Cannabis. - Legal Risk
Employers may face discrimination claims if prescribed medication cases are mishandled — but also risk WHS breaches if safety concerns are ignored. MC needs to be treated as you treat Alcohol other prescription medications within a Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure.
- Policy Clarity
How Alcolizer Technology Can Help
We support organisations with:
- Customisable drug and alcohol testing solutions – certified and independently verified
- Training and awareness programs tailored to your organisation
- Policy and Procedure development
- Toxicology services
- Onsite testing services – available Australia-wide, 24/7
- Calibration and service support
- Data analytics to help you monitor trends and improve decision-making
Our goal is to help workplaces build fair, safe, and legally sound approaches to drug and alcohol management – especially as MC use becomes more common.
Ready to strengthen your workplace safety and compliance?
Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your organisation.