LEGALIZING POT WOULD PUT WORKERS AT RISK, EXPERT WARNS

Marijuana Use Associated With Fatigue, Inability To Focus, Scientist
Says

Legalizing marijuana in Canada would lead to a surge in inexperienced
users who could be putting themselves at risk in the workplace,
according to a workplace health and safety expert.

"Users tend to feel that their performance is enhanced by marijuana,"
said Dr. Martin Shain, a senior scientist with the Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health, yesterday. "It's more likely to be
associated with loss of concentration, inability to focus, general
wash-out fatigue."

The Canadian Council of Chief Executives, which represents 150
multinational corporations, has warned that a federal bill to
decriminalize marijuana could harm the economy if increased marijuana
use leads to increased workplace injuries, absenteeism and poor job
performance.

It is recommending no action be taken without a federal study of how
marijuana use affects job performance.

Although there is little Canadian research on the topic, according to
Dr. Shain, U.S. studies have shown marijuana users are less likely
than non-users to commit to their company, have less faith in
management and are more likely to experience low job
satisfaction.

The workers also reported more absenteeism, tardiness, accidents,
worker's compensation claims and job turnover. They were more likely
to report to work with a hangover, miss work because of a hangover and
be drunk or use drugs at work, according to the findings of the
studies, supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Although medical research has found marijuana can relieve symptoms for
people suffering from everything from chronic pain to nausea induced
by chemotherapy or AIDS treatments, side effects can include
short-term memory problems, and in some people smoking or ingesting
marijuana can trigger hallucinations or paranoia. Some studies have
shown it can also worsen or trigger pre-existing psychiatric conditions.

It has also been found to impair driving.

Workplaces that attract mostly young men tend to have higher rates of
recreational drug use among staff -- this simply reflects the
risk-taking behaviour of young men, Dr. Shain said. Between 6% and 15%
of the workforce in Canada reports recreational drug use, and 2% to 3%
reports regular drug use.

Alcohol and such prescription drugs as tranquillizers and sleeping
pills present a far greater problem than recreational drug use, Dr.
Shain said.

He believes legalizing marijuana could also lead to loss of privacy in
the workplace as more companies decide to test for the drug. However,
a positive test does not mean a person is under the influence -- trace
amounts can be detected long after the effects of the drugs have worn
off.