Cannabis use in the work place
In response to the many questions we have received over the past few months regarding the use of cannabis and cannabis-related products in massage therapy practice.
The Board has formulated a policy to guide members, based on consultation that MTAS has done with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board, Saskatoon City Police, and reference documents: Government of Canada, Canada Act, Government of Saskatchewan Cannabis Act, and the College of Massage Therapy of Ontario policy.
This policy is also pertinent in all Canadian provinces.
Title: Cannabis and substance use (client)
Policy: Substance. 1 Rationale: Clients must be fully informed and able to consent to treatment, and RMTs must obtain that informed consent before assessing or treating clients. RMTs must use their professional judgement to determine if the client can understand the potential benefits and risks of massage therapy treatment as explained, and whether the client’s perception of pain or pressure levels, or indeed of what occurred during the treatment itself, could be impacted. An RMT should not assess or treat a client who is impaired by a substance that is affecting the client’s ability to provide informed consent regardless of the source of the impairment. This includes cannabis or any other impairing substance whether legal or illegal.
Definition: Re: Government of Canada, Cannabis Act, S.C., C16
Ministry of Justice SCHEDULE 1 (Subsections 2(1) and 151(1))
1. Any part of a cannabis plant, including the Phytocannabinoids produced by, or found in, such a plant, regardless of whether that part has been processed or not, other than a part of the plant referred to in Schedule 2.
2. Any substance or mixture of substances that contains or has on it any part of such a plant.
3. Any substance that is identical to any Phytocannabinoid produced by, or found in, such a plant, regardless of how the substance was obtained.
Persons affected by this policy: All members and clients of the LCSP Canadian Branch.
Policy: Selling and distributing cannabis is strictly regulated under the Cannabis Act. Cannabis and cannabidiol oil is strictly for the purpose of private use, therefore offering treatments using cannabis oil, CBD oil, or a topical product containing cannabis is prohibited by federal law.
Providing advice or recommendations to clients about substances is not within the scope of practice of massage therapy. If a client has questions about cannabis, the LCSP member should refer the client to the client’s primary health care provider (such as a physician or nurse practitioner) who can assess the client’s needs and determine a course of action.
**RMTs should not administer or apply cannabis in any form to a client during treatment. **
Procedure: LCSP members may not sell products that contain cannabis or any derivative of cannabis. LCSP members should not use or have on the premises, any product that may contain cannabis or derivative there of without a Dr’s prescription that states it will not affect the therapist’s ability to do there. Failure to uphold this policy is considered illegal, and therefore LCSP members would be at risk of disciplinary action. LCSP members who have been found in breach of this policy will be immediately suspended while the disciplinary committee reviews the incident. LCSP members found contravening the policy could have their membership in there provincial body revoked. We will continue to monitor the changing climate around cannabis and review this policy as appropriate.