Bermuda’s employers must formulate policies to move with the changing laws on medical marijuana use, according to a pioneer in the employee assistance field.

Dr Dale Masi has been invited to the Island to discuss marijuana in the workplace, and has adjusted her talk in light of the Throne Speech announcement that medical marijuana is set to be legalised in Bermuda.

She will present a recommendation for a policy that suggests protections for users of medical marijuana may not extend to marijuana use in the workplace.

It states: “Medical marijuana may be legal, but workers should be aware that employment protections may not extend to marijuana use in the workplace.”

It also states: “The company has zero-tolerance if an employee chooses to utilise prescription medical marijuana during work hours, resulting in impaired job performance.”

Dr Dale also suggests that companies ensure that their policies on marijuana are included in any collective bargaining agreements with its unions.

Her talk is part of a panel discussion organised by the Employee Assistance Program that will also tackle legal and health aspects of marijuana. John Hindess, Associate at Marshall, Diel and Myres will discuss employment law, drug free workplace and impacts on business, while Dr Chantell Simmons, chief of psychiatry at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute will provide an overview of the effects of marijuana, testing and medical marijuana.

Dr Masi told The Royal Gazette: “Whether it is legal or not, you have got to have a policy protecting the rights of the employer and employee regarding marijuana in the workplace. People don’t realise that they can still be fired or referred to the EAP if medical marijuana affects their job. The issue is how much they use it and if it does affect the job. Also, EAP councillors need to be educated on each of the company’s policies as they might not all agree on the same policy.”

Doris DeCosta, EAP’s executive director, said of the talk: “We thought it was a very timely subject, we felt like it was coming down the pipe and thought it was important for our member companies to be able to craft policies protect and advise the employer and employees.

“We try to be responsive to our members. We service 200 companies in Bermuda and a number do have drug testing policies, so we have to be responsive to what is happening for them.”

The talk, which is open to the public, will take place tomorrow as part of the EAP’s 27th Annual General Meeting at the Argus Building, 14 Wesley Street, Hamilton from 8.30am to 11am. There will also be a training session at the same location the next day for managers and supervisors of Bermuda companies. Anyone interested in attending can call 292-9000 or visit the website www.eap.bm.