Tag: Cannabis / Marijuana

Tribunal Finds that Denial of Coverage for Medical Cannabis under Employer’s Benefit Plan is not Discriminatory

· 4 min read

The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (the Tribunal) recently held that the decision to deny coverage for medical cannabis coverage under an employer’s benefit plan is not discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) when the decision to deny coverage is unrelated to an applicant’s disability or another protected ground. In Rivard v. Essex (County),…

Benefits Canada Publishes an Article by Thomas Agnew on Benefits Coverage for Medical Marijuana

Hicks Morley’s Thomas Agnew authored an article in Benefits Canada titled “Employer Obligations Around Medical Pot, Benefits Plans.” In a case from February 2017, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal confirmed that an administrator of a benefits plan can choose what specific drugs and medications will be covered by a plan. In particular, it held that the exclusion of medical cannabis…

FTR Quarterly – Issue 11

· 9 min read

In This Issue Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans Recreational Cannabis and Your Workplace: Five Steps to Consider Featured Topic – Cannabis Expertise Featured Articles Considering Cannabis Coverage under Benefits Plans By: Natasha D. Monkman With the legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, employers across Canada have been preparing to answer questions about whether…

Signs Required to be Posted under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 Now Available on Government Website

· 1 min read

Further to our FTR Now of October 18, 2018, Employers Take Note: Provincial Cannabis Legislation and Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Including New Poster Requirements) Now in Force, the government of Ontario has now posted information regarding the new rules under the Act as well as the signs required to be posted by employers and others…

Jacqueline Luksha Answers “Burning Questions” about the Legalization of Cannabis on the CBC News Network

Hicks Morley’s Jacqueline Luksha was featured on the CBC News Network with Andrew Nichols on October 17, 2018 discussing issues that employers and employees are facing in light of Wednesday’s legalization of cannabis. Questions that Jacqueline responded to in this feature include: Does legalization mean that employees are entitled to consume cannabis in the workplace? What should employers be keeping in…

Employers Take Note: Provincial Cannabis Legislation and Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Including New Poster Requirements) Now in Force

· 6 min read

On October 17, 2018, Bill 36, the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018, received Royal Assent and came into force. On the same date, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) was also proclaimed into force, effective October 17, 2018. Learn more in this FTR Now.

Jacqueline Luksha Discusses the “Rules of Weed in the Workplace” on the CBC News Network

Hicks Morley’s Jacqueline Luksha discussed the implications that the legalization of cannabis will have in the workplace on the CBC News Network with John Northcott on October 10, 2018. Jacqueline explains the obligations of both the employer and the employee, and provides tips on how employers can prepare for the October 17th legislation.

Cannabis-Related Regulatory Proposals Published for Comment by October 7, 2018

· 2 min read

On September 27, 2018, the Ontario government tabled Bill 36, the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018. On the same day, it published proposed cannabis-related amendments to two regulations, for comment by October 7, 2018. Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 Proposed Regulation If Bill 36 passes, the government is considering changes to O. Reg. 268/18 made…