I V

Overall, we believe that the current workplace drug testing framework in Victoria does not sufficiently protect medicinal cannabis patients from potentially discriminatory treatment by their employers and more needs to be done to ensure that employers are managing the risks of medicinal cannabis use fairly and appropriately. [...] This submission will address the Terms of Reference which are most relevant to our organisation’s expertise: advocating for evidence-based policies to improve the management of drug use and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and the community. [...] If an employer has assessed the risk to workplace health and safety posed by the use of cannabis (medicinal or otherwise) and determined that such use should be entirely prohibited, they are not obliged to change that determination even at the recommendation of a medical professional. [...] Given the issues identified, the Occupational Health and Safety and workplace drug testing framework could be improved to benefit medicinal cannabis patients and protect them against discrimination. [...] Our central point of emphasis is that medicinal cannabis should be treated the same way as other medications, and any reforms should be informed by evidence and consider the inherent technological and ethical challenges of workplace drug testing.