June 6, 2018Tyler Collins
Marijuana is rapidly being legalized around the country, and the globe. With most studies showing that between 52% and 70% of Americans have tried cannabis at least once, and around 44% use it at least occasionally, weed is rapidly becoming mainstream and even accepted. While most studies do show that marijuana is relatively safe especially in comparison to other drugs, its impact on productivity, work safety, and performance are undeniable. In addition, studies showing the real impact of marijuana on work performance and capability are all but unheard of, but you can look at the implications of marijuana use on other factors.
For most people, the largest questions surrounding marijuana use in the workplace include is it safe, does it affect performance, and is it problematic. In most cases, the answers to these questions largely depend on how and when the person is using.
The Effect of Marijuana on Driving and Operating Heavy Equipment
Cannabis use is rising, but despite increased acceptance, cannabis does greatly affect the user’s ability to function. As a result, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration lists the percentage of accidents where at least one driver tested positive for marijuana use at 32%, with 9.7% of all cannabis users openly admitting to smoking and then driving and 50% of those with cannabis use disorder reporting driving while “stoned”.
While not as strong as the link between alcohol use and impaired driving, cannabis has a very clear and linked effect on driving. Many studies also suggest that cannabis increases the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident 2-fold over being sober. This does translate to the workplace problems when the workplace requires motor skills such as coordination, operating equipment or machinery, or functioning safely in a dangerous environment. Therefore, someone who smokes and is high around equipment could be endangering themselves and the lives of others. Occupations which require driving cars or heavy equipment, busses, or operating machinery are clear examples of when cannabis use could endanger others. However, indirect interaction with machinery or safety protocols could be affected as well, especially if the person’s job requires their speedy reaction in case of an emergency or disaster.
The recommendation is typically that any workplace where operator cognition affects workplace safety should have a zero-tolerance policy for cannabis use.
High at Work
Persons who use marijuana on a normal basis are typically not using at work. Those who do are often suffering from a cannabis use disorder, which lowers their judgement in relation to when it is and is not okay to use. The immediate effects of cannabis often include lethargy, inability to concentrate, and a feeling of being ‘high’ which can impact workplace productivity. In other cases, cannabis can have the opposite effect, typically depending on the strain or type of cannabis being consumed. With that in mind, it’s scientifically difficult to prove that all strains of cannabis have a negative effect on workplace productivity, however, some do.
Most workplaces have a zero tolerance for cannabis used in the workplace except in the case of a medical need. In most cases, states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use tend to treat cannabis use much like alcohol consumption. Most people wouldn’t choose to use at work and those that do likely have a problem. However, use at home with sufficient time to “sober up” before going to work should not affect performance unless the user is chronically addicted, in which case it will affect their performance in the same way being addicted to any other substance would.
Long Term Effects on the Brain
While most casual marijuana users are not addicted and are able to make good short-term decisions such as not smoking at work, cannabis does have marked long-term effects on the brain. The most notable of these is an increase in paranoia and anxiety over time. Unfortunately. many studies are small and either biased for or against marijuana, with competing studies arguing that long-term cannabis users see significant brain structural changes and others arguing that these changes are minimal and return to normal after marijuana use ceases. However, the most conclusive studies argue that effects on the brain depend on the original health of the user, the volume taken in, and the total duration of use. Persons with cooccurring mental disorders such as anxiety and depression are often doubly susceptible to paranoia and other abuse, largely because they are susceptible to abusing any intoxicating substance including alcohol.
The bottom line is that the more and more frequently someone uses, the stronger the impact on their brain and their ability to function. Someone who smokes once recreationally will not likely have any problems, where someone who smokes daily likely will.
Changing Norms Mean Changing Policies
Creating a good marijuana tolerance regulation at work means reviewing existing state policies and laws. For example, some states allow companies to take disciplinary action against users, even when they have a medical use card. Others, such as Arizona do not allow companies to penalize workers unless they were caught using or being high on the job or unless the work association would penalize the place of business for failing to take disciplinary measures. Understanding the local regulations in your state will help you to take and make better decisions regarding a marijuana use or tolerance policy.
This means considering the nature of use (medical, recreational), considering the impact of use, and considering the implications if something were to go wrong.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder, or addiction, affects an estimated 8% of total cannabis users (compared to about 9-13% of the population addicted to various substances). Cannabis use disorder or cannabis addiction is defined as the continued use of cannabis despite detrimental side effects including paranoia and impacts to the person’s life, in combination with withdrawal symptoms on cessation of the drug. While cannabis is rising in popularity, cannabis addiction is a serious disorder, characterized by the same mental and behavioral disorders as an addiction to alcohol or heroin. It will seriously impact a person’s ability to do their job well and safely, their productivity, and their interactions with others.
A person with cannabis use disorder will almost always allow it to affect their work performance because they will prioritize using and buying the drug over anything else. This contributes to reduced productivity, showing up late or missed attendance, poor performance, inability to concentrate, failure to sleep properly, and can contribute to theft, smoking or using on the premises, and affecting the safety of those around him or her.
Getting Help
Whether your employee, you, or a family member is addicted to cannabis, it is every bit as serious as an addiction to any other drug. While cannabis is less physically addicting than a harder drug such as opioids, nearly half of all long-term users experience withdrawal symptoms. And many will exhibit seeking behavior, going out of their way or causing harm to acquire the drug, even putting others at risk. However, there is help. Cannabis detox, followed by drug treatment to tackle the behavioral problems and underlying issues behind cannabis abuse will help.
Any long-term and frequent user will eventually be affected by cannabis. In fact, length or duration of use is one of the most common indicators of cannabis addiction.
If your loved one is suffering from substance abuse, it is crucial that you get them help, so they can get their life back on track. Please call us at Lighthouse Treatment Center today. At any time we are happy to provide a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced treatment advisors. Contact us today to discuss your situation in confidence.
