As someone who works in the hospitality industry, you understand the importance of making sure that you are serving guests responsibly. If your guests have lots of fun, while also staying safe (both with you and until they arrive home), then everyone will have a good experience!
If you already have your Smart Serve, you have gone through the training modules and successfully completed your test (yay!). In July 2019, Smart Serve released a new update that includes a whole new module on Cannabis, and your responsibilities surrounding those who are intoxicated by both drugs and/or alcohol.
What's Changed?
As of October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis became legalized in Canada. With this, comes changes for you as servers/ bartenders/ managers, with how your guests may be intoxicated while in your care.You have the responsibility not to serve or sell alcohol to anyone who is showing signs of intoxication - by alcohol, cannabis, medication, or drugs. That is a tricky task! That is why Smart Serve has released a new module called Cannabis Signs and Use, and anyone getting their certification from August 2019 and forward will be required to complete the module.
The module covers topics such as:
- How to recognize signs of cannabis intoxication
- What you might see
- What you might hear
- What you might smell
- Understanding Duty of Care
- Understanding House Policies
In order to help protect you, this module will give you to the tools to ensure that you are serving your guests responsibly! It is important to understand that you are still required to follow the Liquor Licence Act (LLA), which continues to prohibit the sale or service of alcohol to intoxicated individuals, or those showing signs of intoxication.
How do you Re-Cert for Free?
Going through the re-certification process is easy!
For anyone who completed their certification recently (between July 15, 2018 and July 14, 2019), you qualify for a free re-certification upgrade! The upgrade is already loaded into your Smart Serve Online Account, all you have to do is login and learn with some games, videos and small quizzes.
For those who have had their Smart Serve for longer, you can re-certify for a small fee ($24.95+tax). You can register for the module in your Smart Serve Online Account and complete the training within a window of time.
It is not mandatory to enroll in this free Re-Certification course; however, it is available for a limited time only and will expire (Smart Serve has not released an expiry date). If you’ve been certified recently, why not update your training for free now, and avoid having to upgrade at a later date for a fee?