REEFER MADNESS UNLIKELY

The Canadian Council of Chief Executives is getting its corporate knickers
in a knot for nothing. The CCCE is worried that if marijuana is
decriminalized, hordes of workers will start showing up for work stoned,
resulting in less productivity, poor performance and more absenteeism.

Not a likely scenario, by any logic. Decriminalization doesn't mean that it
won't be a crime to possess marijuana; rather, it means anyone caught with
a certain amount won't have a criminal record. Nor will millions more
people suddenly rush out for reefers. Those who don't smoke pot now are
highly unlikely to suddenly take up the habit just because the law changes.
Those who already smoke it, but are sensible enough not to show up for work
under the influence, are also unlikely to change their habits.

Companies already have procedures in place for dealing with a minority of
employees whose substance abuse interferes with their ability to get the
job done.

That minority will not increase; it will only add one more substance to its
repertoire.