Resumo

LAURENS, J B. Effective cannabis testing protocols for workplace safety in South Africa post legalisation: Navigating the new normal. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2025, vol.115, n.2, pp.17-21. ISSN 2078-5135.  https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i2.2537.

The legalisation of private cannabis use in South Africa presents significant challenges for occupational health, especially in safety-sensitive environments. This article analyses the medical, legal and ethical issues surrounding workplace cannabis use, focusing on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound. The recent legal precedent that critiques the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies is reviewed, and the establishment of per se THC thresholds that are medically and legally sound is proposed. The study advocates for a tailored approach to risk categorisation and testing protocols in workplaces, aiming to support occupational health professionals in developing policies that are effective, ethical and compliant with legal standards.

Palavras-chave : cannabis; workplace; drug testing; policy.

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