Has your company's drug use policy changed since legalization?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I think it will become normalized over time, and you and many others will likely be surprised at how many people partake as they become less hesitant to come out from the shadows.

I expect pot use in Canada to climb from 15 to around 18 per cent of Canadian adults. How much do you expect it to increase?

Originally Posted by Sliver

It's funny you say people drink to become more relaxed - this is exactly the same reason many smoke cannabis, so the right strain with the right person can help someone relax and enjoy social situations in ways they may not be able to do whilst sober.

I just don't buy the notion that pot is some kind magic superdrug that affects everyone in any/every way they want. Like alcohol, coke, speed, acid, and ecstasy, cannabis has a typical effect. And the typical effect of pot is different from the typical effect of alcohol, so people tend to use it in different environments and for different reasons. I know people who smoke pot in any and all environments they're in. I also know people who drink in any and all environments they're in. I don't think either is typical.

There's also the fact it involves smoking, which is socially reviled in most settings. I don't know about you, but people I know would be appalled if somebody lit a smoke at a kids birthday party. So I have a hard time seeing how someone sparking a joint while little Katie is opening her gifts would be more socially acceptable. And I know more people are moving to vaping pot, but there's only marginally less scorn out there for vapers.

Unless Canadians prove themselves to be radically different from anywhere else in the world, legalization will mean a small increase in people smoking pot and a reduction in the stigma around it. In some demographics and settings it will be completely acceptable. In others it won't be.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I expect pot use in Canada to climb from 15 to around 18 per cent of Canadian adults. How much do you expect it to increase?

In what period of time?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

The CPS policy is crazy.

If you are fit for work and not impaired to do your job then what you legally do on your own time shouldn't come up.

My company has taken the same approach as booze.

I specifically asked about client functions, and the response was the same, you are expected to be able to maintain a level of professionalism at functions.

my take away pot is fine, just like booze unless you are an embarrassment, then it isn't.

Do you think people will smoke up at any company functions? That's something I could never understand. I've been to plenty corporate functions with booze and drank a few beers because I like beer, but never with the intention of getting drunk. Same with most every coworker I've ever had at the same events, they drink because they enjoy it but never drinking enough to get impaired. But with weed what purpose is there other than to get high? I'm not against recreational weed at all in personal time, but I don't see the point in ever doing it in any professional or semi-professional setting

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Do you think people will smoke up at any company functions? That's something I could never understand. I've been to plenty corporate functions with booze and drank a few beers because I like beer, but never with the intention of getting drunk. Same with most every coworker I've ever had at the same events, they drink because they enjoy it but never drinking enough to get impaired. But with weed what purpose is there other than to get high? I'm not against recreational weed at all in personal time, but I don't see the point in ever doing it in any professional or semi-professional setting

People that smoke frequently will just get a light buzz from having a few puffs.

Similar to social drinker that has 3-4 drinks.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I expect pot use in Canada to climb from 15 to around 18 per cent of Canadian adults. How much do you expect it to increase?

That seems like a reasonable estimate to me for, say, over the next three years. I think more than that will try, or take the odd puff while drinking, but wouldn't become regular users. I wasn't suggesting cannabis use was going to go through the roof or anything, but now those 18% can feel comfortable partaking at times and in places where they previously wouldn't have. Some of their friends and acquaintances may be surprised to discover they're cannabis users is all I'm saying. Prior to legalization, most users had a pretty good read on where it's cool and who it's cool around.

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I just don't buy the notion that pot is some kind magic superdrug that affects everyone in any/every way they want. Like alcohol, coke, speed, acid, and ecstasy, cannabis has a typical effect. And the typical effect of pot is different from the typical effect of alcohol, so people tend to use it in different environments and for different reasons. I know people who smoke pot in any and all environments they're in. I also know people who drink in any and all environments they're in. I don't think either is typical.

I don't think it's a super drug, either. People that suggest it'd a cure-all are wrong. But you're wrong to think the different strains don't have different effects. Pot doesn't have a 'typical effect'. Take out the strain differences if you don't want to concede that point, but surely you're not arguing the different THC percentages aren't going to give different highs. It's exactly back to my point of drinking 500 ml of beer versus 500 ml of vodka. One has 5% alcohol and one has 40% alcohol. Low percentage THC cannabis will not affect you in the same way high THC cannabis will.

And again, you say people don't use cannabis in the same situations they use alcohol. I can tell you you're wrong. That may be true in your group, but it's not in mine.

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

There's also the fact it involves smoking, which is socially reviled in most settings. I don't know about you, but people I know would be appalled if somebody lit a smoke at a kids birthday party. So I have a hard time seeing how someone sparking a joint while little Katie is opening her gifts would be more socially acceptable. And I know more people are moving to vaping pot, but there's only marginally less scorn out there for vapers.

Yes, I would be appalled, too. I don't know anyone that would smoke cannabis around kids. When kids aren't present, cannabis users will remove themselves to a private area outside to smoke a joint if that's what they want to do. There is a social aspect to that, by the way, that you may not know about. It's a nice change from a party setting to go outside, form a little circle, meet some people and enjoy an experience together.

Also, beyond smoking and vaping there are other ways to consume. Before the Smashing Pumpkins concert last month, a friend pulled out some cannabis oil in the middle of a restaurant and gave everyone who wanted some a squirt in their beer. Nobody even noticed and it was not offensive to anyone around.

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Unless Canadians prove themselves to be radically different from anywhere else in the world, legalization will mean a small increase in people smoking pot and a reduction in the stigma around it. In some demographics and settings it will be completely acceptable. In others it won't be.

That's all fair.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

In what period of time?

Five years. Then I'd expect it to level off. There's no reason to believe the illegal status of cannabis has dramatically suppressed use in the last 10-15 years. Polls show only something like 5 per cent of Canadians who haven't smoked pot before intend to try after legalization. Use in Colorada has topped out at 17 per cent. In the famously liberal Netherlands, pot has been decriminalized for decades, and only 8 per cent of adults use it.