Inching ever closer to legalization day, Colliers International reports 30 per cent of office workers responding to a recent survey endorse fairly lenient restrictions on cannabis use in the workplace. That represents about 319 of the 1,062 office workers surveyed in buildings Colliers manages across Canada.

The respondents also suggested cannabis should be treated like alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking. However, they were more likely to say that cannabis products should not be marketed and/or available for sale within the buildings where they work.

Respondents based in British Columbia were most likely to say that cannabis use, marketing, and availability are unacceptable at their places of work. Albertans were most likely to say that these activities are acceptable.

As of Oct. 17, 2018 recreational marijuana becomes legal across Canada, allowing Canadians of the legal age to buy and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis for personal use, as well as grow up to four plants per household for the same purpose. (Except in Quebec and Manitoba, where provincial legislation prohibits cultivation for recreational use in private residences.)

In Ontario, cannabis use will follow the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, requiring recreational cannabis smokers and vapers to follow the same rules as tobacco and e-cigarette users.

Colliers International analysts advise that employers, landlords, commercial property managers, and leasing agents should be aware of the sensitivities of occupants in their office buildings. Notably, use in the workplace could increase with the rise of cannabis-related advertising and merchandise.