Cannabis use on BCIT premises
BCIT students and employees should understand that cannabis use is prohibited on BCIT premises (with limited medically-associated exceptions) and that BCIT students and employees are prohibited from attending work, classes, practicums, BCIT-sponsored events, field trips, or volunteer activities (both on and off BCIT premises) while impaired by cannabis.
If employees or students are impaired by alcohol, drugs or other causes, where the impairment may create an undue risk to them or anyone else, they may be required to leave campus.
For more information, read our Institute Policy on Cannabis Use [PDF].
BCIT student responsibilities
Using or being under the influence of cannabis is prohibited while at classes, practicums, BCIT-sponsored events, field trips, or volunteer activities (both on and off BCIT premises). Situations where students are not following the expectations will be investigated and addressed under either the Student Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) (5102) or Student Regulations (5101) depending upon the circumstances.
Workplace impairment
BCIT recognizes the importance of providing a safe and healthy work environment. Employees and students are responsible for ensuring that their ability to work without risk to his or her health or safety, or to the health or safety of any other person, is not impaired by alcohol, drugs or other causes. The use of illicit drugs and the inappropriate use of prescription drugs, alcohol and cannabis can have serious impact in the workplace.
In accordance with policy 7150 Occupational Health and Safety, all employees have a duty to perform their job safely and share responsibility for reporting situations, exposures, hazards or other related occupational health and safety concerns within the workplace to a supervisor. This include the need to understand the impact of using substances (prescription drugs, illicit drugs or cannabis) on their safety and the safety of others.
Symptoms of impairment
Symptoms of impairment and or resulting functional impairments may vary, depending on the psychoactive substance used and other factors. Symptoms may include:
- Smell of alcohol or other psychoactive substance (e.g. cannabis)
- Impaired hand-eye coordination
- Difficulties with walking, posture
- Difficulties speaking
- Reduced alertness
- Relatively slow or shallow breathing
- Sleepiness
- Eye redness
If employees or students are impaired by alcohol, drugs or other causes, where the impairment may create an undue risk to them or anyone else, they may be required to leave campus.
Training
BCIT New Employee and BCIT Supervisor training address responsibilities in relation to workplace impairment. For more information, access our Safety Training resources.