Medical cannabis users 694/2024
FOI Reference: 694/2024
Request 1 - 6:
- Does your company have a specific policy addressing the rights of employees who are legally prescribed medical cannabis?
- How does your company support employees who use medical cannabis to manage their health conditions?
- Are there any accommodations or considerations provided to employees who use medical cannabis, similar to other prescribed medications?
- Does your company have a policy to ensure that patrons who are legally prescribed medical cannabis are not subjected to discrimination or harassment on your premises?
- How does your company train staff to handle situations involving patrons who use medical cannabis legally?
- Do you have accommodation requirements for patrons to follow like only using it in vape and smoking areas?
Response 1:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
No.
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Providing the member of staff has a prescription for the medication and uses it in accordance with the medical advice (just like any other medications) then the possession and use is lawful. (If the medication was abused and consequent the individual unfit for work, attendance/ performance/ conduct policies would apply to the mistreatment and their behaviour.)
Whilst drug testing might be in operation and flag a potential issue, the circumstances of prescription would rebut this. Support for the staff member, advice and guidance for the employer would come via Occupational Health and line management and be applied (in accordance with principles of not unlawfully discriminating) on a case by case basis. Whilst I don’t believe there is currently a specific policy, the treatment of the staff member would need to comply with good, supportive and lawful employment.
Reasonable adjustments to be considered/ applied case by case.
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
In cases where officers or staff are prescribed CBPM* medication by Specialist doctors, they must inform their Area Human Resources Training and Support Officer (HRTSO) and Occupational Health Unit (OHU). The use of CBPM medication should be declared at the point of providing any subsequent random or just cause drugs test. This will allow the independent service provider testing the sample to take account of such use and avoid unnecessary false positive test results.’
(*CBPM = Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal purposes)
Support for the staff member, advice and guidance would come via Occupational Health department and their line manager. This would be applied on a case by case basis and treatment of the staff member would need to comply with a good, supportive and lawful environment.
Response 4:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
No
Response 5:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There is no specific training provided.
Response 6:
I can confirm that there is no information held by Dyfed-Powys Police due to the fact that this information is not recorded by Dyfed-Powys Police.
Not specifically as it would depend how it was being administered by the medical practitioner who prescribed it. Reasonable adjustments would be considered and applied on a case by case basis.
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 09/08/2024)