26 August 2026
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.
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.
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Connecting the Dots Between Cannabis Laws and Workplace Absenteeism
