[BLOG] Dr. Kurtzer speaks on ‘Medical Marijuana and the Workplace

April 4, 2016

[AYR, ON] – The use of medical marijuana is expected to increase dramatically in the near future. It is up to Canadian companies to educate themselves and prepare for the impact of cannabis in the workplace.

Dr. Barry Kurtzer, a physician with more than thirty years of experience providing occupational health programs to employers, is recognized as one of Canada’s leading medical experts on the impact of substance use on workplace safety. Dr. Kurtzer helps to educate employers and address the increasingly complex workplace problems created by Canada’s evolving medical marijuana industry.

Dr. Kurtzer will be presenting “Medical Marijuana and the Workplace”, hosted by the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC), on May 3 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.

With the transportation industry making up approximately five percent of Canada’s workforce, authorized use of medical marijuana is expected to explode due to recent federal regulatory changes. It is estimated that 22,000 commercial motor vehicle operators in Canada could be medically authorized to use marijuana by 2024. This will have serious implications for safety sensitive industries.

This session objectives include the following:

1. To understand what Medical Marijuana is, its clinical applications, and what it can do for patients.
2. To understand Health Canada’s Medical Marijuana Regulations.
3. To understand how those regulations impact Health Care Professionals.
4. To understand how those regulations impact the Employer, the Worker, and Safety in the Workplace.
5. To identify possible solutions for determining whether or not a Worker is medically qualified and fit to perform safety sensitive work.

“The PMTC continues to expand its educational and networking offerings” says Mike Millian, PMTC President. “This seminar was previously held in Nova Scotia & Ontario, and we want to ensure the valuable information that is presented at this seminar is made available to our members in as many regions of this great country as possible. Non-members are encouraged to register as well – this information will be valuable to anyone in the Transportation Industry.”

Date: May 3rd, 2016
Time: 1 to 3:30pm
Location: Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Address will be provided upon registration
Cost: $25 for PMTC & DriverCheck members, $100 for non-members
To enroll for this session, contact Vanessa Cox at info@pmtc.ca or at (905) 827-0587. Space is limited, so enroll today!

Can’t make this presentation? Click here to see Dr. Kurtzer’s list of speaking engagements across Canada.

About Dr. Barry Kurtzer, BSc, MD, MRO
Dr. Kurtzer is DriverCheck’s Medical Director and Chief Medical Review Officer. He has practiced Occupational Medicine since 1977, running a full-scale occupational health clinic in Ontario for fifteen years. Dr. Kurtzer has worked as a Medical Director for several large and small corporations alike, and has served as Chair of the Medical Advisory Group at Toronto-Pearson International Airport, and Occupational Medicine Consultant to the Government of Ontario’s workforce. He has provided Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs and services to Canadian business and industry since 1977, including the introduction of U.S. DOT regulatory testing programs to Canada’s trucking sector in 1996. His experience in expert witness testimony and consultation is extensive. Dr. Kurtzer has testified at arbitration hearings, court cases, Labour Relations Board hearings, and Human Rights Commission hearings, and has provided expert written submissions to Child Custody courts, Workers’ Compensation Boards, and private companies in preparation for hearings of various types. Dr. Kurtzer also sits on the Executive Committee of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Section of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).

About DriverCheck Inc.:
Since its inception in 1996, DriverCheck Inc. (DC) has been the leading provider of medical testing and assessments in Canada. Physician-owned and operated, DC has grown to become the largest national provider of workplace medical testing, and was one of the first Third Party Administrators in Canada to offer DOT-regulated alcohol and drug testing. DC’s head office is located in the village of Ayr, the heart of Ontario’s transportation hub. DC currently serves over 5,000 employers, with access to over 1,000 testing facilities strategically located across the country, providing easy access to all medical services. Our diverse service offerings include drug & alcohol testing, fatigue management, occupational health and injury management programs (including remote medical services). DC services a wide array of industries providing medical expertise to the transportation, oil & gas, mining, forestry, government and medical sectors.
As Canada’s premier ‘fitness for duty’ company, DC’s top priority is to provide safety to your organization, staff and workplace. To learn more about DriverCheck, visit www.DriverCheck.ca or call 1 (800) 463-4310.