Workers in Legal Cannabis States and High-Risk Jobs Are More Likely to Use Cannabis at Work | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 26,458 US workers found 7.4% used cannabis at or within 2 hours of work, with higher rates in recreational-legal states (8.5%), high-risk jobs (11.4%), and among medical cardholders (39%).

Employers, occupational safety researchers, and policymakers.

39% of workers with medical authorization used cannabis at or near work

What the researchers found

Workplace use highest in recreational states (8.5%) vs. medical-only (6.3%) or illegal (6.2%). High-risk workers: 11.4% vs. 5.8%. Medical users: 29.4% vs. recreational 15.6%. Medical authorization: 39.0% vs. 17.4% without.

Why it matters

Quantifies who uses cannabis at work as legalization expands. High-risk workers and medically authorized users have the highest rates.

The numbers in context

26,458 workers; 7.4% overall; 11.4% high-risk jobs; 39.0% with medical authorization; 8.5% in recreational states.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional data from ICPS wave 6 (2023). 26,458 respondents aged 16-65. Regression models by state laws, occupational risk, and medical authorization.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional. Self-reported. "Within 2 hours" is broad. Impairment not measured.

How to read the evidence

Large nationally representative sample with robust analysis.

When this study was published

2025 publication using 2023 ICPS data.

The bigger picture

Medical users show the highest workplace rates, suggesting accommodation policies must balance access with safety.

Questions still open

Does workplace use translate to accidents?
How to balance medical accommodation with safety?

Common questions

How common is cannabis use at work?

7.4% of all US workers and 21.5% of past-year consumers reported use at or within 2 hours of work.

Do high-risk workers use more at work?

Yes, 11.4% vs. 5.8% in lower-risk jobs.

Read the original research

Cross-sectional analysis of cannabis use at work in the USA: differences by occupational risk level and state-level cannabis laws.

BMJ public health, 3(2), e001589

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Kucera, Ava; Hammond, David. (2025). Cross-sectional analysis of cannabis use at work in the USA: differences by occupational risk level and state-level cannabis laws.. BMJ public health, 3(2), e001589. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001589