Legislation to legalize marijuana is set to be introduced by the federal government next year, and workplaces will need to update their alcohol and drug policies, said workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman.

Newman sat down with The Early Edition host Rick Cluff to discuss the effects of legalizing pot and the implications for the workplace.

Rick Cluff: Is there cause for alarm in Canadian workplaces, if marijuana is legalized?

Jennifer Newman: Not really. We're not going to see the return of smoking in offices, so to speak. Employers have been handling medical marijuana use already. It's being used for medical purposes. For example, it's prescribed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It is used to combat loss of appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, and it is also used to handle pain, insomnia, depressed mood associated with chronic diseases.

Workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman. (Jennifer Newman )

Employers accommodate users of medical cannabis, just as they accommodate any other employee who is prescribed medication. And, they balance the duty to accommodate with the obligation to maintain a safe workplace. Employees need proper documentation from their physician regarding being prescribed medical marijuana. Then, employers are to accommodate the employee without incurring undue hardship to their business.

The staff member may be able to safely continue their duties, while taking their medication. But if not, staff may be given other job options at the company. But, if allowing an employee to use medicinal cannabis creates serious financial hardship for the company, or job safety is compromised, employers may not be obligated to allow medical cannabis use.

So, what is the impact be on employers if social use is legalized?

Employers will be looking to update their alcohol and drug policies. They'll need to include pot use and provide parameters around it as it relates to the kind of work being done. As with alcohol use, workers in high risk occupations or who operate heavy machinery may need to restrict cannabis use to be able to function safely.

Being familiar with the effects of marijuana is important, and how those potential effects relate to the kind of work required is key. For example, is eating a marijuana cookie at lunch, like having a beer at noon, going to have an effect on how well a staff person does their job? What is the effect on co-workers or customers when a worker is using pot or having a drink during working hours?

Safety issues aside, are employers and employees going to have to deal with slower, sloppier employees when pot is legalized?

No. If job performance suffers, employers can intervene. And, colleagues can discuss feeling let down, or frustrated if someone on the team isn't pulling their weight, for whatever reason. Employers can create policy requiring employees to be sober when carrying out their duties, whether they use alcohol, or pot, or both. If the usage impairs their ability, including working well with colleagues or customers, an issue will arise.

But, it will be about the worker's job performance. As with alcohol problems, a worker's use may cause them to be unable to do the job at the required standard. If that's the case, employers can offer help by way of counselling as per their drug and alcohol policy.

What should workers who use pot socially think about with regards to how it might affect them at work?

Workers can look at the effects on them and decide when the best time to use would be. It gives staff an opportunity to examine what's important to them about their job and their performance.

For example there was a manager who smoked weed, but confined it to days off. However he found he was a bit sleepy the next day, if he smoked the night before work. He wanted to feel sharp and it was important to him to succeed, so he modified his use.

As with alcohol use, if you use pot, figure out what's important to you. And, how pot fits into that. Gauge its effects on you personally and your work performance.

Really it comes down to the individual saying, 'what does it mean to me?'"

This interview was condensed and edited.

With files from CBC's The Early Edition

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelled: Workplace psychologist Jennifer Newman explains how marijuana legalization could affect workers and their workplaces