Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal
The legalisation of private cannabis use in South Africa presents significant challenges for occupational health, especially in safety- sensitive environments. This article analyses the medical, legal and ethical issues surrounding workplace cannabis use, focusing on the pharmacodynamics and ph...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African Medical Association
2025-02-01
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| Series: | South African Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/2537 |
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| _version_ | 1850187983569813504 |
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| author | J B Laurens |
| author_facet | J B Laurens |
| author_sort | J B Laurens |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The legalisation of private cannabis use in South Africa presents significant challenges for occupational health, especially in safety- sensitive environments. This article analyses the medical, legal and ethical issues surrounding workplace cannabis use, focusing on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound. The recent legal precedent that critiques the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies is reviewed, and the establishment of per se THC thresholds that are medically and legally sound is proposed. The study advocates for a tailored approach to risk categorisation and testing protocols in workplaces, aiming to support occupational health professionals in developing policies that are effective, ethical and compliant with legal standards.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-70908daa2ae9429f8181ec780ad64bf4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0256-9574 2078-5135 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-70908daa2ae9429f8181ec780ad64bf42025-08-20T02:15:59ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouth African Medical Journal0256-95742078-51352025-02-01115210.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i2.2537Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normalJ B Laurens0Expert Laboratory Services, Pretoria, South Africa The legalisation of private cannabis use in South Africa presents significant challenges for occupational health, especially in safety- sensitive environments. This article analyses the medical, legal and ethical issues surrounding workplace cannabis use, focusing on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound. The recent legal precedent that critiques the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies is reviewed, and the establishment of per se THC thresholds that are medically and legally sound is proposed. The study advocates for a tailored approach to risk categorisation and testing protocols in workplaces, aiming to support occupational health professionals in developing policies that are effective, ethical and compliant with legal standards. https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/2537Cannabis Legalisation; Workplace drug testing; Cannabis Testing Protocols |
| spellingShingle | J B Laurens Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal South African Medical Journal Cannabis Legalisation; Workplace drug testing; Cannabis Testing Protocols |
| title | Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal |
| title_full | Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal |
| title_fullStr | Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal |
| title_short | Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal |
| title_sort | effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in south africa post legalisation navigating the new normal |
| topic | Cannabis Legalisation; Workplace drug testing; Cannabis Testing Protocols |
| url | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/2537 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jblaurens effectivecannabistestingprotocolsforworkplacesafetyinsouthafricapostlegalisationnavigatingthenewnormal |