Cannabis Use and Workers

Overview

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants. It contains compounds called cannabinoids that can have a wide range of effects on the body and brain. Cannabinoids are products found in a cannabis plant (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] and cannabidiol [CBD]).

Employers in all industries face challenges addressing issues of impairment among workers who consume cannabis. This is especially true for workers in safety-sensitive positions. As laws, regulations, and attitudes change related to consuming cannabis, workers' health, safety, and well-being must also be addressed. Recognizing these rapidly occurring changes, NIOSH seeks to:

• Better understand cannabis and work-related issues
• Provide advice on workplace policies, programs, and practices

At a glance: Framework

NIOSH has developed a framework for addressing workers' safety, health, and well-being related to cannabis, in light of rapidly changing laws and public attitudes, and includes guiding questions for future research. Learn more about these needs in Cannabis and work: need for more research.

Societal issues that impact cannabis production, distribution, and consumption:

• Conflicting state and federal regulations
• Cultural and social views
• Economics
• Hazards
• Policies
• Politics

Occupational safety and health priorities:

• Cannabis consumption by workers
• Cannabis industry workplace safety and health hazards
• Illegal cannabis production, synthetically-produced hemp-derived cannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoid use

Show Text Description

Guiding questions

• What trends and patterns exist for cannabis use by workers?
• What are adverse health consequences of cannabis consumption among workers?
• What is the role of cannabis in:
  • medical treatment for workers?
  • treating work-related health conditions?
  • managing chronic pain from an occupational injury?
• Does cannabis consumption impact occupational safety and performance?
• What evidence-based cannabis-related workplace policies exist, including for:
  • drug-testing
  • impairment detection
  • reasonable accommodation of medical cannabis use
• What is the impact of workers' unintentional cannabis exposure, such as those exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke?
• What are the impacts of cannabis consumption or exposure on occupational driving?
• What is the extent and impact of use or exposures of workers to synthetically-produced hemp-derived cannabinoids or synthetic cannabinoids?
  • Examples of synthetically-produced hemp-derived cannabinoids include Delta-8 THC or Delta-10.
  • Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of laboratory made substances similar to chemicals found in the cannabis plant. Examples include 'Spice' or 'K2'.

Resources

General resources

Resources on driving

Partner resources