As workplaces continue to evolve their substance use policies, one recurring question is this: Can safety risk really be measured objectively? It’s a fair question and one that doesn’t have a simple answer. While alcohol impairment testing has been widely accepted and standardized for decades, cannabis and other substances present a more complicated picture. The … Read more

As cannabis use becomes more normalized and socially accepted, employers face a growing challenge: how to balance shifting cultural attitudes with the ongoing need to maintain a safe work environment. Let’s continue the conversation about moving away from the vague and often unhelpful concept of “impairment” and focusing instead on safety risk. But even that … Read more

Workplace safety is a top priority, yet many employers still struggle with how to address substance use in a way that is practical, fair, and legally sound. The issue is often framed around impairment, but as I’ve discussed before, impairment is a subjective and emotionally charged term that does little to help workplaces make informed … Read more

As a workplace substance use consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how society often oversimplifies “impairment” as a clear state of incapacity. But the reality is far more complex. Every one of us has experienced some form of impairment—whether from alcohol, fatigue, stress, or other factors—which makes the word profoundly emotional and often misunderstood. In workplace contexts, … Read more