No one wants to hear their HR teams talk about marijuana or other controlled substances in the workplace, whether for medical use or its recreational benefits, but these topics are worth being transparent about. New research from the University of Georgia shows that changes to cannabis laws can have a direct impact on workplace absenteeism, specifically in terms of medical marijuana usage. According to the paper, states where medical cannabis use has been authorized can find employees taking fewer days of sick leave by about 6.9%. While no direct links have been established between recreational cannabis legalization and health-related workplace absenteeism, employees who rely on the substance for wellness reasons can find much relief, adding a vote in favor of legalization of medical marijuana use.
Research shows a decrease in health-related workplace absenteeism in areas where medical marijuana has been decriminalized. (Image: Pexels)
Connecting the Dots Between Cannabis Laws and Workplace Absenteeism: The Legalisation of Medical Marijuana
Many states have new laws in place regulating cannabis use. While some of these apply specifically to medical marijuana usage, many have taken steps to decriminalize recreational use as well, creating entirely new systems around the sale and availability of these substances through legitimate channels. Despite this advancement, we are also seeing efforts to dial back some of these regulations and liberties across states, with many voices hoping to rescind control.
While we aren’t here to debate the intricacies of such regulations and the many facets that need to be taken into consideration before such a decision, we can take a moment to focus on how medical marijuana affects the workplace. No, this isn’t about greenlighting the use of drugs at work, however minimal, but about being more aware of the factors that affect the workforce.
Researchers at the University of Georgia analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 1990 to 2025, studying a dataset that included over 20 million workers between the ages of 18 and 61.
Evaluating ongoing legalization efforts, the researchers compared these changes in data on workplace absenteeism in cases where employees were forced to call in sick over illness, injury, pain fluctuations, and other medical concerns. The study found an evident 6.9% reduction in health-related workplace absenteeism in locations where medical marijuana was legal or decriminalized.
Marijuana has been known to have a positive effect on individuals combating various health conditions, and while it isn’t a cure or solution to most medical conditions, its use can help individuals better manage their conditions, particularly with pain management. Any advancement in healthcare access can help reduce incidents of workplace absenteeism when employees have fewer reasons to turn to sick leave applications, and the link between cannabis laws and health-related absenteeism is much the same.
The Legalization of Medical Marijuana Has a Greater Effect on Certain Workplaces
Employees in every industry benefit from improved healthcare offerings and solutions, but the effect is perhaps the greatest in physically demanding occupations. In industries such as those that involve manual labor or the operation of machinery, or in industries like construction, agriculture, or even health service jobs where there is little room for rest and recovery, cannabis laws have the greatest effect on workplace absenteeism. This is an expected outcome, as these employees strain their health to the greatest degree and also work in environments where a sick day cannot be weathered as easily while on the job.
“Work absenteeism costs a lot for employers, with one estimate putting that total at $225 billion annually in lost productivity alone,” Patryk Babiarz, corresponding author of the study and an associate professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, explained in the press release. “Medical marijuana could actually save hundreds of millions of dollars in economic cost simply because people are not missing work.”
While the Legalization of Cannabis Isn’t the Only Route to This Shift, It’s One Worth Considering Comprehensively
Those who are opposed to marijuana or cannabis use may argue that this isn’t the only path towards reducing workplace absenteeism, and they may be right. Better treatments and solutions, the introduction of free healthcare services, and access to other health-related benefits could address the same gaps today. But until a feasible solution is found, medical marijuana could greatly alter how we approach health, especially if it actually works in pain and health management.
At the same time, while we consider the benefits of medical marijuana and champion its legalization, it is also necessary to plan ahead for its potential downsides. An over-reliance on any substance, no matter how beneficial, can turn into an addiction and cause more damage than gain. Additionally, although the dosage of prescribed cannabis treatment is regulated and these substances are meant to be consumed outside of work hours, the point must be reiterated regularly.
The roles that most benefit from this legalization are also the ones who must keep this substance usage to a minimum while at work, as it can get very dangerous for them to perform their jobs. These employees working in physically demanding roles cannot risk slipping up and causing harm to themselves and those around them. The absenteeism-reducing effects of medical cannabis certainly make it a beneficial turn for the workforce, but caution should remain a part of the process as well.
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