Individuals with recent and frequent cannabis use and perpetual cannabis use are disproportionately prone to workplace absenteeism. Results support the enforcement of workplace drug prevention and treatment policies.
In analysis of a selection of 46,499 full-time working adults in the US, in states where cannabis is legalised, from the 23% of the population taking cannabis, researchers found that 16% used cannabis recently (last month) and 6% used cannabis frequent(daily) or more frequently for those with cannabis use disorder (CUD), were associated with greater workplace absenteeism. That is one in 4 to one in 5 of US workers using Cannabis totalling some 60 million people. This is costing the US employers some $5 billion annually in workplace medical expenses.
The study found that over a month:
- Those who never used cannabis, had 1 sick day in the last 30 days.
- Those using cannabis in that month, missed work 1.5 days in the month.
- Those smoking frequently/ daily were
- with mild use missed 1.6 days;
- moderate use missed 2.6 days;
- and severe use missed nearly 4 days’ work in the last 30 days.
While many individuals may use cannabis without significant harm, others may experience adverse effects such as cognitive and motor impairments, psychiatric symptoms and respiratory distress leading to increased healthcare utilization and even vehicle crashes.
Furthermore, almost a quarter of people who use cannabis develop cannabis use disorder (CUD), a condition affecting an estimated 7% of the US adult population. Excessive cannabis use is associated with impairments including cognitive decline, impaired educational or occupational attainment, other substance use and ultimately diminished quality of life.
Ean Lewin, Managing Director of D.tec International says “This is the downward progress in the USA post many states legalising cannabis. The UK is not this bad but make no mistake, cannabis consumption is growing in use and acceptance. The effects of cannabis consumption on a UK employee, whether intermittently or multiple times daily, are just the same as described above.”
“You maybe need to ask yourself, as a manager or a company director, is there any part of employees smoking cannabis which is beneficial to a good working environment or to productive and safe employment. Your quandary is what to do about it. Setting a deterrent that is both credible and reliable is the minimum you can do; to protect yourself in your role; protect your workplace colleagues and perhaps protect the wider public.”
#DoTheyWorkForYou?
The study published on 26 August 2024 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and was led by Kevin H. Yang, M.D.