Cannabis is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government and can still be subject to random drug testing. Employers can create policies that exclude people who test positive for marijuana use, even if they are good workers. This is a problem because marijuana has been shown to help people with some mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. But not everyone who tries marijuana will become addicted, which creates a serious dilemma for employers.

However, despite popular belief, employers can still prohibit employees from using marijuana at work. Employers may also prohibit employees from attending work while impaired for a number of reasons.

How Does Marijuana Use Impact Job Safety?

Marijuana is actually an interesting topic because there is a lot of debate about the effects it has on the body and whether or not it is safe for individuals to do it at work. There are many studies that claim marijuana use has a negative effect on job safety, but others claim that the use of marijuana does not affect job safety at all. A recent study claims that the use of marijuana actually has a negative impact on job safety, but a new study claims that marijuana does not affect job safety at all.

In a nutshell, the use of marijuana can create a significant impact on the job. For example, when people use marijuana, they are at greater risk of making more mistakes; they also experience a decrease in physical and cognitive efficiency, which can lead to injury. However, statistics show that marijuana users have a smaller risk of being involved in fatal accidents on the job.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, workers who tested positive for the consumption of marijuana had 55% more industrial accidents, 75% greater absenteeism, and 85% more injuries compared to those who tested negative. Additionally, the impacting the bottom line are:

• Increased employee compensation and unemployment compensation claims
• Decreased productivity
• Lawsuits
• High turnover

The employment landscape around marijuana is changing quickly as states allow for legal recreational use and others consider the issue. Although a majority of states have passed laws allowing for legal medical marijuana use, the federal government still views marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which means it has no accepted medical uses and a high potential for abuse. This classification has created a difficult environment for the marijuana industry and employers.

Final Words

Marijuana use is on the rise and it is important to note that it may affect your job performance. Employers should form the right policies and train their workers on the effects of marijuana use to ensure that they stay safe on the job. Since marijuana is illegal in most states, employers should also keep a check on transactions involving marijuana. They should also keep a check on the behavior of their workers and make sure they are not impaired while they are working.

Attend the Compliance Prime webinar to learn more about the laws related to marijuana in the workplace.