Medicinal cannabis in stevedoring and maritime work
Cut-off-based stevedoring regimes — home of the DP World case line Last verified:
The risk profile
Ports and stevedoring combine heavy plant, tight vessel schedules and long-standing cut-off-based drug and alcohol regimes. Maritime crewing adds fatigue management and, for some roles, international and flag-state requirements on top.
What the cases say
Gauci v DP World Brisbane [2024] FWC 2351 is the defining waterfront decision: cut-off policy, concealed prescription, dismissal upheld - with the Commission noting that had he disclosed, doctor and employer could have agreed appropriate hours between dosing and shifts. See the case tracker for full summaries.
If you work here
The DP World lesson is the whole game: the process the worker skipped - disclosure, medical input, agreed timing - was available and would likely have kept his job. Use it. The Worker’s Rights Kit ($39) contains the disclosure letter, prescriber question list and post-test checklist.
If you run the workplace
The same decision validates a clearly drafted cut-off policy - and quietly shows the safety valve that makes it defensible: a real pathway from disclosure to agreed working arrangements. Make sure yours exists on paper, not just in intention. The Employer Policy Pack ($299) contains the policy template, disclosure form and risk assessment built for exactly this.