Quebec: cannabis legalization has had less impact on work than expected

One after the legalizing cannabis in Canada, A new study published by ADP Canada and conducted by Ipsos has surveyed Canadians and Quebecers on their consumption habits during working hours.

Despite legalization, few organizations in Quebec allow recreational cannabis during the workday. 87 % of Quebecers say their employer does not allow cannabis. And when cannabis use is allowed, Quebecers use little. 9 % of Quebecers said cannabis was allowed during the workday, and of these, 53 % said they smoked before work, 63 % said they smoked after work, socializing with colleagues, and 47 % said they smoked during work hours.

Quebecers tend to smoke less at work than other provinces: it's in Saskatchewan and Manitoba that respondents smoke the most, if permitted.

Cannabis has a much smaller effect on workplace performance than anticipated a year ago: - 73 % of Quebecers say recreational cannabis use has had no impact on productivity, 74 % that it has had no impact on absenteeism, 70 % that it has had no impact on quality of work and 76 % that it has had no impact on health and safety incidents

In 2018, when this same survey was conducted, nearly half (45 %) of Quebecers felt that cannabis use in the workplace would decrease productivity and increase absenteeism. One year after legalization, only 7 % of those surveyed felt that cannabis had decreased productivity and increased absenteeism.

45 % of Quebecers feel that their perceptions of the cannabis has not changed since legalization, 16 % are more positive and 18 % more negative.

36 % of Quebecers say their company has updated its policies since legalization, and while the subject is divisive in Quebec, 55 % of Canadians surveyed believe that the arrival of edibles, extracts and topical products will not change employer requirements regarding the risks of impairment in the workplace.

Whether or not cannabis is permitted during the working day, the results of this study reinforce the need to implement and clearly communicate the rules governing cannabis consumption.

«Last year, there was a lot of uncertainty and hype surrounding the legalization of cannabis. But so far, cannabis use hasn't had a major effect on the job market or job performance,» a declared Hendrick Steenkamp, Director of ADP Canada. «Even though the use of cannabis during working hours is only permitted in a fraction of workplaces in Canada, ADP Canada is a leader in this area. Canada, It is important for every organization to develop appropriate guidelines and workplace policies, and to provide training to detect and manage potential work impairment.»