Workers in Legal Cannabis States and High-Risk Jobs Are More Likely to Use Cannabis at Work
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%).
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
26,458 workers; 7.4% overall; 11.4% high-risk jobs; 39.0% with medical authorization; 8.5% in recreational states.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional data from ICPS wave 6 (2023). 26,458 respondents aged 16-65. Regression models by state laws, occupational risk, and medical authorization.
Why This Research Matters
Quantifies who uses cannabis at work as legalization expands. High-risk workers and medically authorized users have the highest rates.
The Bigger Picture
Medical users show the highest workplace rates, suggesting accommodation policies must balance access with safety.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional. Self-reported. "Within 2 hours" is broad. Impairment not measured.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does workplace use translate to accidents?
- ?How to balance medical accommodation with safety?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 39% of workers with medical authorization used cannabis at or near work
- Evidence Grade:
- Large nationally representative sample with robust analysis.
- Study Age:
- 2025 publication using 2023 ICPS data.
- Original Title:
- Cross-sectional analysis of cannabis use at work in the USA: differences by occupational risk level and state-level cannabis laws.
- Published In:
- BMJ public health, 3(2), e001589 (2025)
- Authors:
- Kucera, Ava(2), Hammond, David(36)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06868
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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 More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06868APA
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
MLA
Kucera, Ava, et al. "Cross-sectional analysis of cannabis use at work in the USA: differences by occupational risk level and state-level cannabis laws.." BMJ public health, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001589
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cross-sectional analysis of cannabis use at work in the USA:..." RTHC-06868. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kucera-2025-crosssectional-analysis-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.