Change is something that stakeholders has been waiting for, say stakeholders
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is easing its rules around cannabis use among workers.
The police force is now simply requiring all employees to be fit to perform their duties and carry out their responsibilities, and to not be impaired by drugs, alcohol or other substances when on duty or at work.
This is a big change – adopted earlier this month – from the previous rule requiring front-line officers and many other employees in "safety-sensitive" positions to avoid recreational cannabis use for a month before duty, reports The Canadian Press (CP).
"Substance use can adversely affect job performance, conduct, the work environment, and the well-being of the user and of others, and can compromise the safety and security of policing services," says the policy force, according to the report posted on CTV News.
Some employees use medical marijuana and employers must balance accommodation and workplace safety in these cases, according to a previous report.
The police force also said it reviewed all aspects of its operations in crafting the new policy, and notes that "RCMP members work across Canada in a unique operating environment, as first responders, in rural and remote communities, and can be called back for duty at any time.”
Cannabis use rule change has been long-awaited
The RCMP started looking into changing the rule about cannabis use last year.
A spring 2023 briefing note prepared for RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme recommended a 24-hour restriction on cannabis use before reporting to work, with some exceptions.
"Policing organizations that initially had a zero tolerance or 28-day restriction have or are moving towards either a fit for duty or 24-hour abstinence requirement, or a combination of both," said the briefing note, according to a report from CP posted on the National Post.
The National Police Federation welcomed the new rule, saying the previous policy was "not consistent with the police universe," according to the CP report. The federation represents nearly 20,000 RCMP members.
Previously, a British Columbia man who used cannabis welcomed the news that the RCMP is considering changing its cannabis use policy.
“I can honestly say if they made this announcement tomorrow, that they’re changing their policy, I’d apply tomorrow,” 32-year-old Taylor said in the CP report posted on the National Post in September 2023.
Taylor enjoyed cannabis weekly as a recreational drug when personal use became legal. He then began taking it to help ease minor aches and pains, or simply to relieve stress.
Ottawa legalized the use of cannabis in 2018.
