RCMP relaxes cannabis rules for some officers | CBC News

The RCMP has eased its coverage on hashish use by members, saying merely they should be match for responsibility when reporting for work.

The brand new substance use coverage replaces a 2018 rule that required front-line officers and plenty of different workers in “safety-sensitive” positions to chorus from leisure hashish use for 4 weeks earlier than responsibility.

The change, applied earlier this month, brings the Mounties in step with many different police forces on worker pot use.

The Nationwide Police Federation, which represents practically 20,000 RCMP members, welcomed the transfer, saying the earlier coverage was “not in keeping with the police universe.”

A current assertion from Brian Sauvé, the federation’s president, notes that union committees had been advocating for evaluation and modernization of the hashish coverage since 2020.

The RCMP acknowledged final summer season the 2018 coverage was below evaluation, with no remaining determination taken.

A spring 2023 briefing notice, ready for RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme, had beneficial a 24-hour restriction on hashish use earlier than reporting to work, with some exceptions.

“Policing organizations that originally had a zero tolerance or 28-day restriction have or are transferring in the direction of both a match for responsibility or 24-hour abstinence requirement, or a mix of each,” mentioned the briefing notice, obtained final yr by The Canadian Press by means of the Entry to Data Act.

The police federation had suggested the RCMP that some of the widespread inquiries at recruiting classes associated to the leisure hashish use coverage, the notice added.

The brand new coverage says all RCMP workers should be match to carry out their duties and perform their duties, and should not be impaired by medicine, alcohol, or different substances when on responsibility or at work.

“Substance use can adversely have an effect on job efficiency, conduct, the work setting, and the well-being of the person and of others, and may compromise the protection and safety of policing providers,” says the coverage, posted to the RCMP web site Jan. 11.

It provides that the danger of impairment from substances equivalent to hashish varies relying on the individual, use patterns and product high quality.

Consequently, impairment “might differ from one person to a different, and from one use episode to a different. The best strategy to keep away from any security danger is to abstain from use.”

The RCMP mentioned it reviewed all elements of the power’s operations in crafting the brand new coverage.

“RCMP members work throughout Canada in a novel working setting, as first responders, in rural and distant communities, and may be referred to as again for responsibility at any time,” the coverage says.

The RCMP had no speedy touch upon the brand new coverage.

Sauve’s assertion says the coverage excludes underwater divers and pilots, who should proceed to comply with the necessities of their skilled governing our bodies.