Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1431464
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 NOVEMBER 2021 10 NEWS MT2 COMMENT Andrew Bonello on the science of cannabis testing Is accidental poisoning of children possible? AMONG the phalanx of op- position to the legalisation of home-growing cannabis, is the Richmond Foundation which suggested that this could results in the accidental poisoning of children. Although uncommon, it is a fact that thep presence of can- nabis plants, products, and waste in the home increases the risk that children, pets, or una- ware adults may inadvertently consume cannabis with detri- mental effects. Retail cannabis is more likely to be consumed after purchase. But personal cultivation means that households may accumu- late significant quantities of cannabis. According to the National Collaborating Centre for Envi- ronmental Health of Canada (a publicly-funded organisation), data from 91 cases from Amer- ican poison centre and hospital admissions revealed children had ingested cannabis resin (hashish), and that this was more common than cannabis edibles like cookies or candies: "This may be because hash- ish is similar in appearance to chocolate, as speculated by the authors, or it may reflect other factors, such as the use of child- proof packaging on commercial edibles and the diligence with which adults store edibles com- pared to supposedly less appeal- ing products (making them less available), as well as the general curiosity of small children (e.g., putting non-food items in the mouth). Pets may be similarly affected. Public education will be criti- cal to shaping safe cannabis cul- ture, one component of which is encouraging safe and thought- ful management of cannabis, related products, and waste in the home environment. Personal cultivation may in- crease the amount of cannabis in waste streams. For exam- ple, Health Canada previously recommended blending waste medical cannabis with water, mixing it with cat litter, and dis- posing of it in the trash. How- ever, depending on the scale of personal production in a com- munity, it may be necessary to provide alternative disposal op- tions. Averting accidental poisoning • Treat all cannabis products as hazardous to children and pets, even those not consid- ered particularly appealing (e.g., unfinished joints) • Create a dedicated grow space with controlled access (i.e., strong locks and other safeguards such as an alarm) • Label cannabis products and keep them in a locked cupboard or container • Keep information for poison control or emergency on hand for immediate assis- tance with suspected • cannabis intoxication Cannabis resin (right) can look like chocolate and therefore be a hazard to children if left within easy access for them LUKE VELLA GENERAL Workers' Union (GWU) secretary-general Josef Bugeja has expressed absolute disagreement with the Malta Employers Association demand to have random drug testing for employees. The MEA has called for the postponement of the Bill legal- ising recreational cannabis and home-growing, fearing that employers could face liabilities over injuries or damages result- ing from inebriated employees. "The law does not address such scenarios, which are needed to safeguard both the employees and the employer." MEA director-general Joe Far- rugia has said the MEA wants random drug testing to be op- tionable for employers, depend- ing on the trade in which they operate. Farrugia also accused the gov- ernment of electioneering by "targeting the vote of a specific cohort – youths" and that no re- search has been carried out by the government to legalise can- nabis. But the GWU said it "abso- lutely disagrees" with the MEA and their proposed right for employers to conduct random drug testing. "We have to differ- entiate between having traces of and being under the influence of cannabis. Should any employers have any concerns, we would be available to discuss them at every work place like everything else," Bugeja said. "The MEA argument is flawed. Cannabis can only to be con- sumed at home, not in public nor at the work place. So now, employers are going to dictate to their employees what they can or cannot do at home?" Bugeja argued. Bugeja said that employers do not go around testing employ- ees for alcohol consumption in their free time, but they are only concerned if employees drink at work or if they cannot perform their duties due to intoxication. "Our legal advice is that if there is no reasonable suspicion, the employer cannot impose ran- dom dope testing. Furthermore, traces of cannabis can remain in the body system for months. "There are standard operating procedures in place if you show up under the influence of alco- hol or you are caught consum- ing alcohol at work. That does not mean that employers have a right to go around checking if you had consumed alcohol the day before or outside the place of work. What the employee does at home is no concern to his employer." Bugeja also remarked that the union disagreed that Malta's cannabis legalisation billhould not be adopted close to an elec- tion. "Our point of focus was the impact of decriminalisation of cannabis at the place of work, health and Safety and the pro- gress socio-economic impact," Bugeja said. "We have been discussing this with the government for a very long time. We stated that this legislation and election date had nothing to do with each other and we wanted it to move for- ward as fast as possible. We had members who lost their jobs be- cause they were caught smoking a joint in a private residence," Bugeja said. Yet even the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, claims the govern- ment is embarking on this legis- lation for electoral gains. "Such policy should not be dictated by electoral gains but on research. This is why UHM cannot under- stand why government wants to enact this law before the general election at all costs." UHM claims the cannabis Bill contradicts the government's zero-tolerance policy against smoking and alcohol consump- tion, and similar addictions. "Apart from the risk of getting addicted to harder drugs, we also need to consider the im- plications of the withdrawal symptoms of cannabis includ- ing at the workplace. It could well be the case that withdrawal symptoms apart from cannabis consumption be the cause of an accident." The union argued that the government should provide guidelines on intoxication at the work place could be dealt with. "Where are we going to draw the line? Will certain employees be allowed to consume cannabis and others not? Are we going to do random tests?" a UHM spokesperson said. Joe Farrugia: the MEA said it wants random drug testing on employees if the cannabis legalisation Bill is made law. But GWU secretary-general Josef Bugeja absolutely disagrees with this position Union against random drug tests over cannabis