Legalise Cannabis Party’s senate candidate for WA Jason Meotti is calling for a shake-up of workplace drug testing and an end to discrimination against medical cannabis patients.
“No-one should lose their job for taking medication as prescribed by their doctor,” said Mr Meotti, who has vowed immediate action to stop employees prescribed medicinal cannabis – that fail current drug tests – from being sacked.
“The zero-tolerance policies adopted by many companies and government departments for presence of THC and its metabolites – make no sense in terms of health or safety.
“Here in WA, that includes FIFO workers and public servants like police and prison officers.
“What we need to move towards is impairment testing, which is cheaper and leads to improved safety and productivity.
“Most cannabis drug tests haven’t changed in over 40 years and the mere presence of THC metabolites in your system should not mean you lose your job. Plus, random drug testing has no capacity to determine impairment.
“Innovative companies, like Chevron in the USA, are now moving towards impairment tests, rather than random drug tests, to improve safety, lower costs and boost productivity.
“Workers can ‘fail’ impairment tests for a range of reasons unrelated to drug use, such as over-tiredness and emotional and/or mental stress.
“These tests can be performed in a few minutes via an app as staff begin a shift. The results are compared to your previous responses and if there appears to be impairment – then the employee doesn’t go on site and risk the safety of themselves and others.
“No-one should be working in safety-conscious occupations impaired – full stop.”
He said organisations regularly accommodate employees who are taking prescribed medications which can cause far greater impairment (such as opioids, benzodiazepines and anti-psychotics).
“It’s time the law caught up with reality,” he said.
“My hope is that companies will voluntarily move towards impairment tests and away from random drug tests.
“Either way, if I am elected to the senate, I will move on this issue immediately to put an end to workplace discrimination of prescribed medicinal cannabis patients.”
