Medical cannabis laws linked to lower health-related absenteeism, especially in manual jobs
A new study finds that workers in states with medical cannabis decriminalization miss fewer days for health reasons, with the effect strongest among physically demanding occupations.
Researchers examined monthly Current Population Survey data from January 1990 through March 2025, covering more than 20 million workers aged 18 to 61. They discovered that decriminalizing medical cannabis corresponded with about a 6.9% decline in the likelihood of reporting illness- or injury-related missed work, a pattern especially evident in physically intensive roles like assemblers, farm laborers, and construction crews.
In contrast, the adoption of recreational cannabis laws did not produce a statistically significant change in health-related absenteeism. The study, published in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, suggests that some employees may be using medical cannabis to manage pain, though it does not directly measure usage or diagnoses. Authors emphasize that the findings should inform policy debates rather than serve as an endorsement of legalization, noting the analysis is limited to absentee rates and lacks detail on duration or severity of missed work.
Why it matters
The findings highlight how medical cannabis policies may affect workforce productivity and inform future labor and health regulations.
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