Here are the details of the Canadian Forces cannabis policy:

Establishes a framework for the responsible use of cannabis in support of the following objectives:

Distroscale

the maintenance of a physically fit, employable and deployable forces;

the protection of safety in the workplace;

the maintenance of operational effectiveness, including any requirement to maintain a state of readiness; and

the avoidance of impairment which would prevent the safe and effective performance of duties.

Sets out the roles and responsibilities for addressing misuse of cannabis.

Standard of Conduct

CAF members are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner and are expected to make responsible choices regarding the use of recreational cannabis.

CAF members must not engage in any misuse of cannabis. Any misuse will be dealt with through administrative or disciplinary action, or both.

CAF members must inform their supervisor immediately if their ability to perform their duty is compromised due to cannabis consumption.

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Risks and effects

Cannabis consumption can cause impairment of attention, cognition, mood, memory, judgement and motor skills. These effects can jeopardize the safety and operational effectiveness of the CAF.

Cannabis smoke contains many of the same harmful substances as tobacco smoke and therefore can damage lungs and cause bronchitis-like symptoms, coughing and wheezing, which can affect overall physical performance.

All CAF members are encouraged to make themselves aware of the information on cannabis consumption under the Health Promotion Program.

What’s permitted

Cannabis consumption and possession by CAF members is permitted provided such consumption and possession is in accordance with all applicable Canadian federal, provincial, territorial and municipal laws, any applicable foreign laws, DAOD 9004-1 and any orders prohibiting cannabis consumption and possession that may be issued under section 5 of DAOD 9004-1.

Don’t travel with cannabis

Although recreational cannabis is now legal in Canada, you cannot import or export any amount of cannabis, including medicinal cannabis, across Canada’s national borders.

It is illegal to take cannabis across international borders. As cannabis is illegal in most countries, you could be denied entry to these countries as a result of consumption or involvement in the legal Canadian cannabis industry.

Prohibitions

CAF prohibitions are grounded in scientific evidence, and are based on considerations relating to military operations, specific job requirements, and workplace safety. CAF members are prohibited from cannabis consumption:

8 hoursbefore any known or expected performance of any duty

during the entire period of the working day or shift

during the entire period of serving on a domestic or international operation, exercise or collective training, other than any period of authorized leave in Canada

CAF members are prohibited from cannabis consumption and possession

during the entire period that the CAF member is in or on any vessel, vehicle or aircraft, military or civilian, operated by or in support of the DND or the CAF

during the period that the CAF member is on training for the basic military qualification or basic military officer qualification and is restricted from leave

during the entire period of an international operation or OUTCAN posting other than any authorized period of leave in Canada

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Prohibition periods

The CDS has ordered the following periods of prohibition for cannabis consumption (additional to 8hr prior to any duty) 24 hours before any known or expected performance of any of the following duties, involving a heightened risk and a higher-than-usual need for attention to detail:

operation or handling of a loaded weapon, ammunition, explosive ordnance or explosive;

operation or handling of a weapon system;

a scheduled base emergency response duty, including firefighting or medical first response by military police, a firefighter or a medical technician assigned to medical first response duty;

a scheduled operational exercise or collective training;

operation of a wheeled or tracked vehicle, or mobile support equipment;

servicing, loading, testing or involvement in maintaining a military aircraft or a component of a military aircraft;

training as a candidate for the basic military qualification or basic military officer qualification and not restricted from leave;

parachuting, rappelling or fast roping activities;

maintenance or packing of parachuting, rappelling or fast roping equipment;

operation of a laser of class 3B, 3R or 4, as classified under the American National Standards Institute Z136.1, Safe Use of Lasers; or

operation of a fuel farm or handling of bulk petroleum.

28 daysbefore any known or expected performance of any of the following duties, involving operating in a highly demanding environment or in a precision-oriented task:

operating in a hyperbaric environment, i.e. diving, submarine service or use of a hyperbaric chamber;

high altitude parachuting from a height of or above 13,000 feet above mean sea level;

service as a member of a crew of a military aircraft as a pilot, air combat systems officer, flight engineer, airborne electronic sensor operator, observer, loadmaster, jumpmaster, search and rescue technician, air technician, air gunner, air marshal, tactical aircraft security officer, flight test engineer, flight attendant, flight steward, flight surgeon, flight nurse or aeromedical evacuation technician;

controlling or directing an aerospace platform or asset; or

operation of an unmanned aerial system. enduring and total prohibition on cannabis consumption during the entire period of

an international operation, exercise or collective training, other than any period of authorized leave in Canada; or

a posting or attached posting outside Canada, other than any period of authorized leave in Canada.

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Drug Testing

The CAF will be able to order a drug test in certain circumstances for the consumption of cannabis if a CAF member:

is subject to a period of prohibition for cannabis consumption for a period of 28 days or longer before the known or expected performance of certain specific duties;

is on an international operation, exercise or collective training of 28 days or longer; or

is on an OUTCAN posting.

Responsibilities

All CAF members are responsible for being informed of the DAOD, reporting an incident of suspected misuse, and informing their supervisor if they are unable to safely and effectively perform their duty due to cannabis consumption. Commanders and senior leadership are responsible for continuing education in respect of the misuse of cannabis, as well as for taking action, including ordering drug testing in cases of suspected misuse.

Managers and military leaders are to ensure the compliance of their staff with the DAOD.

CAF members may seek clarification of the policies or instructions set out in the DAOD through their chain of command.

Conclusion