CANADA: New Survey: Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses Not Ready for Legalized Marijuana

Two-Thirds of Canadian Businesses Polled Are Concerned with Recreational Marijuana Use in the Workplace.

Many small- and medium-sized businesses are not ready for the legalization of recreational marijuana, according to a new poll conducted by Express Employment Professionals.

With only one week until recreational marijuana use becomes legal, more than 80% of businesses polled have not received any information from federal or provincial governments regarding marijuana use in the workplace.

The survey of Canadian businesses also found two-thirds of those polled are concerned with potential recreational marijuana use by employees, with half responding that they think it will have an impact on workplace safety. More than a third of businesses are worried recreational marijuana use will also lead to new liabilities and costs.

Only half of small- and medium-sized businesses indicated they have protocols or guidelines in place regarding recreational marijuana use in the workplace, as legalization quickly approaches.

The survey of 322 small- and medium-sized businesses, which are current and former clients of Express Employment Professionals, was conducted in the first week of October 2018 to gauge respondents’ views on the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana and its impact on the workplace. Full results are below.

Have you received any communication from the federal or provincial government regarding the recreational use of marijuana in the workplace?

• No 81%
• Unsure 12%
• Yes 7%

As a small- to medium-sized business, are you concerned with the potential for recreational marijuana use by employees in the workplace?

• Yes     66%
• No     26%
• Indifferent 8%

Do you think the legalization of recreational marijuana use will have an impact on safety within your workplace?

• Yes 48%
• No 32%
• Unsure 21%

Does your business have protocols and guidelines in place regarding employee use of recreational marijuana?

• Yes 51%
• No 35%
• Unsure 15%

Are you anticipating new liabilities and costs in the workplace associated with the recreational use of marijuana?

• Yes 37%
• No 35%
• Unsure 28%