Self-Reported Cannabis Use and Intoxication at Work: Prevalence Across Industries and Occupations and Association...

To examine the prevalence of workplace cannabis use across industry and occupation categories, and potential associations between workplace use, intoxication, and work-related injuries.

National survey data from Wave 7 (2024) of the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) were used, including 30,123 workers aged 16-65 years from the United States. Separate logistic regression models examined past 30-day cannabis use at work across standard industry and occupation categories, and the association between past 30-day self-reported use, intoxication at work, and work-related injuries in the past 12 months.

Approximately 1 in 10 workers reported using cannabis at work/within 2 h before work, of whom 2 in 5 reported feeling high at work "often" or "every time." The prevalence of workplace consumption was greatest among those working in the "Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting" (24.9%), "Construction" (14.4%), and "Accommodation and food services" (12.6%) industries. Similar results were observed by occupation. The odds of experiencing a work-related injury in the past 12 months were greater among workplace cannabis consumers who reported feeling high "sometimes," "often," or "every time" versus those who reported no past-year cannabis use (29.6% vs. 11.2%, adjusted OR = 1.66, p < 0.001).

Workplace cannabis use is common in some occupations and industries, including those with substantial occupational risks. Self-reported cannabis intoxication at work was associated with increased odds of experiencing a work-related injury. Workplaces could consider developing policies that minimize cannabis intoxication at work, specifically, rather than all cannabis use.