Today’s cannabis is 60 per cent more potent than decades ago.
“It’s changed drastically in the last 20 years,” said Kim Allenby, an addiction counselor with Alberta Health Services (AHS), who gave a presentation during Stettler Board of Trade’s (BOT) business mixer May 24.
Allenby said about 50 per cent of Albertans have tried cannabis but only an estimated 12 per cent use cannabis regularly.
“Just because it’s going to be legalized there isn’t going to be a rash of addicts.”
She said employers should match their rules for employees’ use of cannabis around their other policies, such as consuming alcohol.
Allenby said there are two types of cannabis, sativa and indica. Sativa gives the user a head high, makes them more alert, euphoric, creative and energetic. On the other hand, indica gives a body high, relaxes the individual, stimulates appetite, aids in sleep and pain relief.
The health risks associated with cannabis use include problems with thinking, memory or physical co-ordination, impaired perceptions or hallucinations, fatal and non-fatal injuries including those from motor-vehicle accidents due to impairment.
Chanel Gano, a health promotion facilitator with AHS, said employees are required to tell their employer if they are a medical cannabis user.
Leann Graham, director of planning and development for the Town of Stettler, said if an employee doesn’t disclose his/her medical use of cannabis to an employer, it’s grounds for termination. She added that the town is working with a lawyer to set human resource policies for the town and this information will become available for the public.
Stacey Benjamin executive director for Stettler Board of Trade, said as more rules and regulations come in from the provincial government, the BOT will share them with local businesses.
