A new report has found that employees prescribed medicinal cannabis have lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action in Victoria. The report, produced by the Victorian Government’s Legal and Social Issues Committee, recommends that drug testing only occur when employers have a well-founded belief that an employee is impaired.
The report also found that there is a lack of clarity about the rights of employees who are prescribed medicinal cannabis. The committee has recommended that the Victorian Government develop guidelines to clarify these rights.
The report's findings are concerning, but they are not surprising. Medicinal cannabis is a legal medication in Victoria, and employees who are prescribed it should not be discriminated against.
The committee's recommendations are a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to ensure that employees who are prescribed medicinal cannabis are protected from discrimination.
Employers should only drug test employees if they have a well-founded belief that an employee is impaired.
Employees who are prescribed medicinal cannabis should be aware of their rights. They should also be aware of the resources that are available to them, such as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
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