Pubdate: Thu, 26 Dec 2013
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Douglas Quan
Page: A16

RULES ON MEDICAL POT INCONSISTENT

Regulations vary across federal agencies

A survey of federal agencies and departments with a connection to
public safety has found no consistent policies regarding employees who
use medical marijuana.

The issue made national headlines last month when a Mountie in New
Brunswick publicly complained about not being able to smoke medical
marijuana while in uniform.The force subsequently stripped Cpl. Ron
Francis, who says he uses medical marijuana to help him with
post-traumatic stress disorder, of his red serge.

Postmedia News queried several federal agencies about their awareness
of employees who use medical marijuana and any restrictions that may
be placed on employees who make such disclosures. Here's what they
said:

RCMP

Spokeswoman Sgt. Julie Gagnon said the force is aware of "less than
five" Mounties who use medical marijuana. She was unable to be more
precise.

Current policy requires RCMP members to report any medical condition
that may be hazardous to their health and safety or to the public, she
said.

While RCMP doctors do not authorize medical marijuana use, members can
get authorization from their family doctors.

Members who use a "mind-altering drug" - Gagnon cited marijuana,
OxyContin and Dilaudid as examples - are not permitted to perform
operational duties and barred from carrying a firearm or driving a
police vehicle.

Appearing before the House of Commons public safety committee in early
December, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson described the episode in New
Brunswick as "awkward and disappointing," but also acknowledged that
"it did raise some issues with respect to managing members or
employees of organizations =C2=85 who are prescribed medical marijuana."

Paulson said Francis was "fully off duty" and that the force was
"working with him to try to help him get better."

A few days later, police arrested Francis and charged him with
assaulting another police officer.

Transport Canada

Pilots and air traffic controllers are obligated to report the use of
any medication as part of obtaining their medical certificates and
failure to do so could result in licences being suspended, said
spokeswoman Karine Martel.

Once they obtain their medical certificates, pilots and air traffic
controllers are assessed by civil aviation medical examiners on a
regular basis, added spokeswoman Roxane Marchand. For example,
commercial pilots over 40 must undergo a medical every six months.

Neither pilots nor air traffic controllers would be allowed to perform
their jobs if using medical marijuana, officials said.

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

CATSA is the Crown corporation responsible for screening airline
passengers and their baggage. Officials are not aware of any screeners
who use medical marijuana, spokesman Mathieu Larocque said.

However, CATSA and the contractors who directly employ screening
officers do not require employees to disclose use of medical marijuana.

"We do not ask for this information," Larocque said. That said, "our
training programs and oversight mechanisms ensure that screening
officers have the capacities and abilities to perform their duties."

Canada Border Services Agency

Citing privacy reasons, spokesman Graham Maja said the agency "cannot
provide specific information on the potential use of medical marijuana
by officers."

Border officers are required to report anything that may negatively
impact their health and safety, or that of the public, Maja said. "Any
border services officer taking medication that can negatively affect
judgment, including marijuana, is not permitted to perform operational
duties, including carrying a firearm."

Department of National Defence

The Canadian Forces Health Services Group is not aware of any member
using marijuana for medical purposes, spokeswoman Colleen Boicey said.

She cited a Canadian Forces directive issued in May that states that
members who receive medical permission to use marijuana must notify
their base/wing surgeon as soon as possible.

Once such a disclosure is made, restrictions on duties must be
considered, including no driving of DND vehicles, use of weapons and
participation in operations.

"Marijuana for medical use remains controversial and lacks definitive
medical evidence," the directive states.

Correctional Service of Canada

Corrections officials would not say whether they're aware of any
employees who use medical marijuana, saying such information is
"confidential, personal and protected."

Asked if policy requires employees to disclose use of medical
marijuana, spokeswoman Sara Parkes said: "Employees are encouraged to
disclose any voluntary accommodation needs they may have relative to
their work related responsibilities."

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

Did not respond.
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MAP posted-by: Matt