As researchers continue to examine the effects of cannabis, they are also proving certain preconceived notions about its use wrong. For instance, previous studies have shown the belief that anyone that uses it will become a lazy slacker is false. In the same line of thought, a recent study also showed there was a decline in workers compensation payments for cannabis users. Additionally, the study showed that when the users actually requested compensation, the amounts were less than those who didn’t use cannabis. In short, the study claims that cannabis use saves money for businesses in the long term.

Study

The researchers examined workers’ compensation claim data from 2010 and 2018, focusing on older workers. They claimed that older adults were “more likely to experience health conditions for which marijuana may be effective in symptom management”. The researchers also said these subjects are more likely “to use prescription medications for which marijuana may serve as a therapeutic substitute”. They cross-referenced this data with states that legalized cannabis use.

Results

Upon examining the data, the researchers found that even in this group, fewer workers filed workers’ compensation claims. Those that did file claims filed for smaller amounts. According to the researchers’ estimation, the use of recreational cannabis reduced workplace injury rate by 5.4 percent. At the same time, they found that there was a 20 percent decline in workers’ compensation benefits. They also found a further decrease of 20.5 percent in annual income received through said benefits. The researchers, unfortunately, don’t give a reason for this decline.

Discussion

Even taking this data into consideration, researchers need to take are some facts that surround medicinal cannabis users into account. On the plus side, a Canadian study found that cannabis users are not more likely to have accidents. This means that employers would not need to specifically worry more about cannabis users potentially requiring more workers’ compensation. 

However, many businesses, even in cannabis-legal states, still drug test their workers. Even if an employee is not currently under the influence of cannabis, they could still fail the test. This is because of how long cannabis stays in their system. As such, companies that have this restriction likely won’t have to worry about cannabis users seeking workers comp. In fact, in some cases, employers can refuse a claim. This could happen if the injured employee is found with cannabis in their system. 

Additionally, depending on the state, employees might not be allowed to use workers’ compensation to offset the cost of cannabis. In fact, this might be one of the causes for the decline found in the study. The reason could be that workers use cannabis for their ailments and, since workers’ compensation doesn’t cover it, have to get it on their own.

Regardless, it doesn’t appear that there is enough evidence to definitively prove a correlation. Hopefully, as lawmakers further examine different aspects of cannabis legalization, researchers will be able to clarify the accuracy of the study.

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