Marijuana in the Workplace: Guidance for Occupational Health Professionals and Employers

Abstract

This article discusses the guidance for occupational health professionals and employers for the use of marijuana in the workplace. Marijuana (cannabis) is the most frequently used illicit drug of abuse in the United States and worldwide. Moreover, it is second only to alcohol as the most prevalent psychoactive substance seen in cases of driving under the influence of drugs. It is also by a wide margin, the drug most often detected in workplace drug-testing programs. Nevertheless, with public attitudes toward marijuana use changing, prohibitions for its consumption outside of federal law now vary from state to state. This guidance summarizes current evidence regarding marijuana consumption, discusses possible side effects including temporary impairment as it relates to the workplace, reviews existing federal and state laws and legal implications for health care professionals and employers, and suggests various strategies available to employers for monitoring workers for marijuana use. It is outside the scope of this article to address any potential medical benefit of marijuana. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)