Cannabis in the UK has changed. Dramatically. More so than many of us would imagine. It is much stronger than it used to be with ever increasing evidence of its adverse effect on mental health. The sheer scale of drug misuse in the UK means repercussions for the workplace are serious, so ask yourself, is your organisation doing enough to tackle these new challenges?
Up to forty years ago, cannabis in the UK came mainly from overseas, where conditions were more conducive to its growth. In the 1990s, however, advances in technology meant that cultivating cannabis in the UK became easier and more accessible these advances allowed for a rapid growth in cannabis ‘farms’, mostly located in domestic premises.
The old fashioned ‘weed’, which contained roughly equal amounts of THC (THC is the psychoactive and psychotic ingredient that produces the ‘high’) and CBD (Cannabidiol, which moderates the dangerous psychotic effect of the THC), has started to be replaced by a more potent version containing almost three times more THC than CBD. The following Police and NHS statistics back up this change. In 2005 just over 50% of seized cannabis was considered ‘high potency’. Ten years later, that figure had risen sharply to 94%. The five years between 2013 and 2018 also saw a 57% rise in cannabis psychosis related hospitalisations.
Worryingly, scientific studies have shown that regular users of high potency cannabis, known as the new ‘skunk’, are five times more likely to be diagnosed with psychosis than those who have never used the drug. A psychotic episode means that an individual can lose contact with reality, either through hallucinations or delusions, and can trigger paranoia or suicidal tendencies. As a result, the person is likely to turn to skunk again to help calm them down. And the cycle continues. A recent example of this, reported by the BBC, ‘Man was recorded on a mobile phone as he stabbed, strangled, and ran over his girlfriend during a psychotic episode after eating a cannabis brownie’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-59325877
Leading researcher, Dr Marta Di Forti, a senior fellow at King’s College London, has been instrumental in setting up the first NHS clinic in England, created especially for cannabis smokers suffering with psychosis. However, only two years after opening, Dr Di Forti is only able to see one in five of the patients who are referred to her due to severe demand.
What does this mean for the workplace?
With cannabis being the most widely used illegal drug in the UK and 74% of substance users in full time employment, the implications could be serious for your organisation. Whilst, no employer believes their driver has a substance problem, the reality is that last year one in eight under thirty-five’s were using cannabis and one in fourteen of ALL employees were to. These statistics show the prevalence of drug use within the workplace and as managers you have a legal, moral, and social responsibility to ensure your drivers do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle whilst impaired.
Do you know who the drug users are within your workplace and more importantly, if not are you confident you are doing enough to educate your employees on the dangers of performing their duties whilst under the influence?
D.tec are here to work as your trusted advisors on all things Drug and Alcohol related. We can assist you in the seamless implementation of bespoke drug and alcohol screening programmes designed to keep you and your workforce safe.