Marijuana is an impairing substance. The user experiences reduced motor coordination, short-term memory loss, and altered reaction time which has destructive workplace effects. High doses can cause paranoia and psychosis. Employers, employees, and customers are negatively impacted when workplace safety is threatened by an impaired employee. Higher THC potencies yield longer-lasting “highs” that may affect the entire workday.
Detecting Employees Who Are Under the Influence
Know your employees. The best tool in your toolbox is to be aware of the difference between normal behavior and that which appears to be impaired. Attend annual trainings on the signs and symptoms leading to a reasonable suspicion drug test and trends in drug use.
Decisions to test should be made on the specific contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or body odors of the employee.