The Impact of Marijuana Use on Productivity
Kareena Chhabra
Pace University
Dr. Hurley
Research, Data, and Statistics
12/13/2023
The Impact of Marijuana Use on Productivity
Marijuana legalization is a changing discussion because of how it affects different elements of society, such as social and economic issues. As more states and countries accept marijuana, people continually perceive it with less stigma. There is also a question about whether the benefits outweigh the costs of using marijuana for medical or recreational purposes in terms of society’s overall welfare. Another significant subject to explore includes looking at employment productivity issues related to weed consumption individually at workplaces.
The societal role of marijuana has become a topic of debate as the legality of this drug changes. Hence, it is necessary to examine various aspects related to marijuana use and its impact on production, a primary concern in many workplaces. Therefore, as cultural values change, it is essential to know how marijuana use affects work output, hence becoming an area of interest with both pros and cons associated with emerging social changes. This study seeks to enhance knowledge concerning the overall effects of marijuana consumption on productivity within modern workplaces.
Top of Form
Literature Review
Over the years, marijuana has moved from a criminalized change in modern times to include the acceptance of its therapeutic properties as well as the idea that consumers ought to have freedom in their choices concerning Cannabis. However, up until now, only a few countries have legalized the recreational use of Cannabis (Farrelly et al., 2023). However, portraying the changing narrative is the amount of research that various institutions and governments are putting into Cannabis research. From its acceptance as an essential piece in the treatment industry to its current trajectory in legalization across developed nations, it points to a changing narrative. One would especially conclude that the future stands to visit many countries moving to make marijuana legal.
The ongoing legalization of marijuana indicates that it has the possibility of being beneficial, and people are ready to experiment with other methods. Some countries are especially forging their marijuana strides through new approaches. For instance, country developing countries are embracing marijuana but only legalizing it for cultivation and export. With increased production, human society is inevitably looking at an increase in Cannabis, even if it means in particular regions across the world. This changing landscape and other broader areas of society, like the workplace, affect not merely personal choices. There is a need to take into consideration the peer pressure and the changing social beliefs that are likely to gear many toward the use of marijuana. The workplace itself is a good place where the effects of marijuana use can be seen, as it is a microcosm of societal norms and expectations. Therefore, looking at it from this view makes it easy to understand how legalizing and accepting marijuana may be responsible for reduced productivity at work.
Thus, with the changing narrative, it is imperative to consider the impact of marijuana use on the productivity of individuals who are likely to use or those who are already using the drug. Of critical concern are the aspects revealed by previous studies that posit acute exposure to marijuana to impair cognitive functions, such as verbal learning, working memory, processing speed, and executive functions (Bonn-Miller et al., 2019). Bonn and his colleagues especially reveal the immediate effects of marijuana to be dependent on factors like the concentration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the main psychoactive component in Cannabis. Higher Δ9-THC levels lead to more significant cognitive deficits, specifically in memory-related tasks (Chen et al., 2020). This has mainly raised concerns about the effects of marijuana use in work settings.
Factors such as past marijuana use make it difficult to understand these effects. Regular users become tolerant, thereby lessening the sensory changes and psychotomimetic actions that may affect a person’s productivity in disparate ways other than an occasional user who undergoes more severe immediate deficits (Sexton et al., 2019). Thus, there is a need to ultimately track the use of marijuana and minimize its usage by employing various types of techniques. These can include education to ensure that the workers are aware of the effects that marijuana use poses to their health. It is important to note that the users may not have access to such crucial information, and thus, they may tend to believe that the use of marijuana has no impact on their outcomes in the workplace.
The argument about the productivity of marijuana smoking is time-based because of the long-term mental impairments when intoxicated. The cognitive problems, marked in the mild to moderate range, comprise learning and memory abilities and attentional, executive function, and processing speed difficulties. It is essential to know how long a person has been abstaining from drugs since a more extended period can result in a return to the normal functioning of the brain. This time element is crucial when considering the possible lasting effects of marijuana use on workers’ sustained activity levels.
Longitudinal, observational studies fit into the broader scrutiny about the effect of marijuana on productivity. It is the cognitive vulnerability hypothesis links cognitive factors with productivity outcomes, as it suggests that individuals with lower childhood IQ scores are more likely to become regular cannabis users and dependent upon them. For example, the concurrent hypothesis suggests short-term cognitive dysfunctions because of marijuana use, and this may lead us to think about day-to-day changes in how productive we are. Briefly, the neurotoxic hypothesis argues that once cannabis use has ended, there are lasting cognitive effects that require a nuanced understanding of workplace performance.
Workplace Productivity and Marijuana Use
The legalization of marijuana, whether for medicinal or recreational reasons, has presented significant challenges to employers, primarily affecting work safety, especially in highly security-sensitive industries. The active ingredient Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known to have effects on depth perception, reaction time, hand-eye coordination, and sense perception (Ng et al., 2023). Notably, Ng and his colleagues elaborately state that this can give rise to severe consequences in an industry where accuracy and vigilance are mandatory, like driving or operating machines, leading to workplace accidents and injuries.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has primarily published a study that relates marijuana to a rise in accidents in the workplace. Industrial accidents increased by 55% in workers who tested positive for marijuana, injuries rose by 85%, and cases of absenteeism increased by around 75% (NIDA, 2023). Besides safety implications, this also compromises organizations’ productivity and financial performance. Declining productivity, high rates of worker compensation and unemployment claims, high turnover rates, and the potential for lawsuits make up some of the employers’ multi-dimensional challenges following the legalization of marijuana.
In response to these challenges, employers often adopt zero-tolerance policies about marijuana use, especially in safety-sensitive sectors. However, evolving state laws on marijuana use present a hurdle for maintaining drug-free workforces. Some employers are forced to search outside their local area to find people who meet strict drug-testing criteria. Since it is the most frequently used illicit drug in America and commonly detected during workplace drug tests, there is a pressing need for an unambiguous and comprehensive drug policy.
The comprehensive policies should provide a mechanism for employers to pick talents they believe would be productive in their work settings. Such policies should especially implicate productivity from the beginning by ensuring that aspects such as marijuana use that would otherwise affect worker’s productivity are placed under explicit rules on use and possession. These guidelines must not only alienate marijuana users if they pose a danger to themselves or likely hinder productivity but also go a long way to enable the formulation of post-accident tests and deal with employee convictions or arrests regarding drug offences. Research has shown that informing employees about testing protocols can reduce positive test results by three times (Hazle et al., 2022). These facts can inform organizations on the methodological approaches to recruiting human resources. Above all, the policy must be specific, follow the existing workplace procedures, and be reviewed regularly to meet changes in state laws and societal attitudes. The meticulous creation and upkeep of these policies in response to the changing landscape of marijuana legalization is vital to the welfare and security of employees.
Research on the relationship between marijuana use, cognitive abilities, and work productivity is still contradictory and lacks knowledge on various aspects. The literature is characterized by a complex landscape of diverse views and methodology that hinders the formation of concise, evidence-based conclusions. In a similar vein, there are disputes over the cognitive vulnerability hypothesis that proposes that the continuous use of marijuana results in low IQ levels in children (Bourque & Potvin, 2021). Conversely, other studies contest this claim but give contrary findings that suggest more influences, such as socioeconomic backgrounds and educational opportunities. The complex interplay between cognition and Cannabis needs to be unpacked to understand the intricacies of inconsistent results due to confounding variables.
In addition, there is a hypothesis that concurrently exists for short-term cognitive deficits related to marijuana use. A study by Hill & Hsu (2022) identified that long-term use of Cannabis not only affects an individual’s nervous system but also reduces their IQ by 5.5 points from childhood, leading to cognitive deficits in the process. However, it is essential to note that over the years, researchers have employed different study designs to analyze the potential effects of marijuana on an individual’s cognitive abilities. Thus, in the analysis of the effects, it is only prudent to take into account the demographics and patterns of marijuana usage that various studies have used. Imperatively, situational factors play a significant role in determining the effects that marijuana can pose on an individual cognitive and performance capabilities. Neurotoxic hypotheses especially posit an instance where the use of marijuana can lead to persistent impairments that exist for years.
On the other hand, scholars have suggested the possibility of reversing marijuana effects by abstaining for a particular period (Bourque et al., 2021). The study by Bourque and his colleagues thus posits the effects of marijuana as a subject to how an individual uses the drug. Their research tries to untangle the complications surrounding the long-term effects of Cannabis on cognition.
Literature has also employed various theories to try to explain the interplay between several aspects in association with the use of marijuana. Among these theories is attentional theory. The theory has been crucial in providing a path to understanding the impacts of marijuana usage by aligning psychological and cognitive perspectives in deriving insights into the multiple mental and environmental factors that affect attentional processes. It is important to note that this theory is founded on a limited attention capacity arising from internal and external influences (Minnick et al., 2020). The theory is especially essential in understanding how marijuana may hamper attention and cognitive abilities and impair productivity at work. It is also important to note that marijuana is a psychoactive substance. The attentional theory especially made it possible for various studies to explain the reason for disparities in the ability to maintain cognitive attention among various individuals in research studies (Testai et al., 2022). Because of this, the theory stands to provide a crucial framework to explore the potential effects of cannabis use on job-related tasks elaborately.
Research Questions or Hypotheses
Unveiling the concealed factors that influence the use of marijuana as well as productivity at workplaces requires us to offer our findings in a logical order. The quantities and methods by which one takes up marijuana thus become vital determinants that make us think about alternative usage patterns. Limited or occasional use may not substantially affect performance, but heavy or frequent use through specific ways of consumption may produce more profound effects. We will align with intricate questions for our research to achieve a systematic approach. In this research study, we will especially ask the following questions:
- What is the relationship between marijuana use and productivity?
- Are there demographic or contextual factors that mediate the impact of marijuana on productivity?
Method
The procedures employed in this research attempt to unravel the complex connections between marijuana use and workplace productivity by probing into individuals’ subjective experiences and perceptions. This research will gather detailed narratives about how marijuana influences professional performance. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the study aims to analyze different perspectives, attitudes and contextual factors that influence people’s views on whether or not smoking weed can affect their ability to work. Therefore, unlike quantitative approaches, qualitative research allows participants to speak for themselves; hence, it helps understand this multi-dimensional phenomenon better. In addition, a qualitative approach covers the subjective dimensions of this connection, enabling one to get a better handle on the subject matter.
Study Design
This study employs a qualitative, exploratory design to examine the intricate association between marijuana use and workplace productivity. The design is suitable for studying individual experiences and perceptions regarding the effects of marijuana on their professional life. I will also extensively interview respondents to enable them to express themselves freely and exhaustively. Thematic analysis will establish common patterns or themes within the data collected, thereby providing an understanding of diverse perspectives.
The study uses exploratory design to identify expected insights about how marijuana use affects workplace productivity. Quantitative research often employs a purposive sampling technique in data collection. A significant advantage of this method is that it facilitates access to diverse participants, significantly contributing to the richness and depth of information necessary for any study. We shall, however, relate this to the ethical standards mentioned in the study’s ethical considerations. These involve abiding by research ethics such as informed consent and participant confidentiality throughout the study. It is also essential to understand that this approach provides valuable insights into different aspects of our research topic.
Participants
This quantitative study utilizes purposive sampling to obtain various perspectives on marijuana use and workplace productivity. The inclusion criteria also encompass adults aged 18 or older across different professions and industries. In this regard, 98 industry participants will be selected for our study population. This diversity includes both occasional and regular marijuana users to give a complete account of their experiences. For example, potential participants will be attracted through different recruitment efforts like online platforms, community centres, and workplace settings. Therefore, the recruitment process must involve clear communication concerning why the research is being conducted, consent from those involved, and ensuring that matters are private.
The principle of data saturation will establish the sample size, which is the point by which no additional information can be obtained. This will be a crucial guide to concluding the research. This method guarantees depth in analysis without compromising on diversity: it gives a wide variety from which to derive different opinions. Consequently, demographic diversity, including age groups, sex groups, education levels and occupational fields, shall form one of our main focus areas towards enriching findings and noting possible trends across various sets.
Before the study begins, we will pass out information to potential participants. These will include information on how to participate and halt their participation if they feel so. One of the most essential things is informed consent, an ethical issue. By ensuring that data is anonymous and removing details of who was involved during analysis, we will ensure that participants’ identities remain confidential. In order to encourage diversity among participants, the selection process will involve attempts to ensure that experiences are considered in this regard. These include different usage patterns, job backgrounds and views on how marijuana affects work life. This research aims to understand how individuals from diverse backgrounds perceive and navigate between using Cannabis and being productive at their workplaces. Therefore, the participant selection process has been designed to allow for a comprehensive exploration of the topic area, taking into account both its richness and complexity by capturing lived experiences associated with the use of marijuana in different work settings.
Data Collection, Variables, Controls, and Analysis
A methodology and research design that is structured and organized has been developed for this quantitative study aimed at determining the impact of marijuana use on productivity. Primary data collection involves administering standard questionnaires to the respondents. This method enables measurement of responses; thus, identifying predetermined variables is essential in examining how marijuana use affects output in a workplace within a quantitative research setup. Data will be mainly collected on marijuana frequency and abstinence periods, cognitive performance measurements and workplace productivity indicators through an individual work performance questionnaire (IWPQ). IWPQ is an essential tool used to measure significant dimensions of job performance, such as task performance, contextual performance and counterproductive behaviours across different employment industries (Ramos et al., 2019). These variables were intentionally selected to generate a study with numerical findings about potential links and impacts between cognitive functions and job performance concerning the use of Cannabis.
We have implemented measures to control for confounding variables to ensure that our study considers potential confounding variables. The purpose of this is to strengthen the reliability of the study. Thus, statistical analyses will consider Demographic information such as age, gender, and educational background as covariates to ensure that any observed effect is not just because of these factors. This method allows for singling out and quantifying how much impact on work productivity marijuana use has. In addition, through correlation analyses and regression models as statistical analysis techniques, quantitative assessment will determine the relationship between marijuana use and workplace productivity. These analytical tools will allow pattern identification, association measurement, and statistically significant conclusions determination based on collected quantitative data.
Ethical Considerations
The paper has ethical considerations as a primary focus. This is mainly because it focuses on the commitment to protect the rights of participants and ensure that we carry out an ethical study. Informed consent is one of the most critical ethical practices in research. Consequently, all prospective participants will be given a detailed account of what the study aims to achieve, what they should expect, the risks they are exposed to, and any benefits they might accrue from being part of it. The goal here will be to ensure that potential subjects fully appreciate the nature of their participation before consenting.
Confidentiality and anonymity are two critical ethical principles that any researcher should consider, especially when dealing with quantitative studies where sensitive data may occur. We will protect participants’ privacy by putting in place strict measures to guide us throughout the research. All the collected data, including survey responses and demographic information, will be stored securely, so no details identifying someone will be available during the analysis. This method helps to increase the validity of research, making it possible for its process to remain confidential towards subject matters participating in the same study. They should also know that at any given point, they can opt out, hence giving room for voluntariness among them, which is highly emphasized throughout this research. In addition, such a right permits those participating to act according to their comfort zones, thereby contributing towards a respectful and ethical research environment. Therefore, this quantitative study would revolve around respecting the participants’ autonomy while ensuring their welfare.
Limitations
When researchers do their studies, they must indicate the potential problems that can affect the study’s generalization, scope, and validity. In this regard, we will consider several potential limitations in this quantitative research into marijuana use and workplace productivity. The first limitation of this study design is that it uses cross-sectional data, which cannot establish cause-effect relationships. Data gathered at one point in time may not show how marijuana use patterns change over time and relate to workplace productivity. Longitudinal investigations would have been better for determining causation and examining how things change with time. A response bias can result from the use of self-reported data. Participants may underreport or over-report their marijuana use or their productivity levels due to social desirability or other factors. Although we affirm our commitment to maintaining confidentiality, there is a possibility that the inherent subjectivity of self-reported data may introduce some bias.
The study also has to take into account all potential confounding factors. Some unmeasured variables may include mental health status or job satisfaction, which, despite efforts being made to control for demographic factors, can affect the relationship between marijuana use and workplace productivity. Furthermore, reliance on standardized surveys limits the depth of exploring individual experiences. This quantitative approach may underrepresent qualitative insights that could bring a deeper understanding of subjective aspects of marijuana use and its impact on productivity. However, it is essential to note that this research aims to provide valuable insights into existing literature regarding marijuana use and its effect on work performance. Consequently, since these limitations are known, they allow for a more nuanced interpretation of findings as candidate areas where future studies ought to be conducted to overcome these limitations, thereby building upon outcomes produced through this investigation.
Continuous Evaluation
Continuous evaluation is vital throughout the study to maintain the research design and methodology’s rigour and relevance. In order to maintain integrity in data collection and analysis, we will apply a dynamic approach that includes regular debriefing sessions, peer reviews, and reflexivity. This means that debriefing sessions will be held at some point during the research process where the team can look back at what they have found so far as well as difficulties encountered while carrying out this study, hence any changes that might have to be done regarding how it was conducted should be considered here. These sessions are platforms for dialogue where team members can share ideas on handling emerging challenges and other matters, thus promoting teamwork. Research design and methodology will also get feedback from outside, thus enabling its improvement through this external perspective coming from people who are knowledgeable about qualitative research methods, including colleagues who specialize in qualitative research methods, who will review protocols used by this study; then examine different tools used in collecting information before giving their opinions; lastly, check whether there are any preliminary findings obtained up-to-date or not but if yes what it means is these should be changed according to their suggestions so as they could make sense within broader academic framework of qualitative studies undertaken globally.
The researchers shall integrate reflexivity, an ongoing evaluation process that critically examines their role in the study. The researchers will always consider their biases and assumptions while maintaining the highest quality standards within qualitative research by including these continuous evaluations and influences they might have had on the investigation. From this point of view, it becomes easier to understand how researchers’ perspectives, leading to more transparent and credible research studies, may influence data collection and analysis. The research team plans to use mechanisms. This iterative method ensures that when new insights arise, difficulties arise, and prospects are realized, thus making the results more substantial and dependable.
Expected Results
Based on our research questions, we expect to find that marijuana is a critical barrier to productivity among users in the workplace. In our analysis of various literature, we identified several potential effects that come with the use of marijuana. The CDC, for instance, noted that marijuana use could cause temporary psychosis (CDC, 2020). The centre especially points out its potential to exacerbate conditions like depression, which can cause one to have decreased morale to undertake their duties at the workplace. Undoubtedly, anyone with impaired judgment is likely to perceive his or her duties as up to daily standards, which may not be the case under the influence of marijuana. However, some individuals who smoke marijuana may show some changes in their minds, but they still can perform well at work. According to this result, there are reasons for workplace policies that permit sporadic marijuana use within certain limitations without posing a significant productivity risk in some job settings.
We also expect to find heavy or frequent use of marijuana to result in more severe effects on work performance. Using standardized self-reported scales under a definite timeframe, we expect to find individuals who use marijuana more frequently to fall behind in the tasks that they should perform in their workplace. A key rationale for this is that even the use of marijuana alone takes off one’s time that they should have used to undertake workplace duties as they go to smoke. Some tasks may be seriously affected by the ability to concentrate at will, make quick judgments, and memorize things immediately, leading to a possible decrease in performance levels. This is a clear example whereby organizations should consider the frequency and method of marijuana use when determining its impact on productivity, as well as know about possible threats tied to specific patterns of usage.
Further demographic and contextual factors add some more dimensions to the expected findings. For example, age, sex, and socioeconomic status may modify the association between marijuana and productivity differently. For instance, young people might be less sensitive to marijuana’s cognitive effects than their older counterparts might. In such situations where there are occupations involving safety-sensitive responsibilities, workplace environments might be more affected by impairments related to marijuana.
In addition, the study supposes that based on attentional control theory, a theoretical framework could be used to explain how marijuana affects attentional processes. The anticipated results may help understand whether changes in attentional control are mediating effects on marijuana use and workplace productivity. In doing so, the study seeks evidence-based insights to inform workplace policies, intervention strategies, and public health initiatives. This understanding of how different levels of marijuana use might affect productivity promotes an informed and adaptive response toward the changing landscape of marijuana acceptance and legalization.
References
Bourque, J., & Potvin, S. (2021). Cannabis and Cognitive Functioning: From Acute to Residual Effects, From Randomized Controlled Trials to Prospective Designs. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 596601. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.596601
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Mental Health. https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/featured-topics/what-we-know-about-marijuana.html
Chen Han-Ting & Ken Mackie (2020). Adolescent Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure Selectively Impairs Working Memory but Not Several Other mPFC-Mediated Behaviors. Front. Psychiatry. Volume 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.576214
Farrelly, K. N., Wardell, J. D., Marsden, E., Scarfe, M. L., Najdzionek, P., Turna, J., & MacKillop, J. (2023). The Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use and Associated Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 17, 11782218231172054. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218231172054
Hill Kevin & Hsu Micheal (2022). Cognitive Effects of Midlife in Long-term Cannabis Use. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cognitive-effects-of-long-term-cannabis-use-in-midlife-202206142760
Hazle, M. C., Hill, K. P., & Westreich, L. M. (2022). Workplace Cannabis Policies: A Moving Target. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0095
Minnick, M. R., Pérez-Edgar, K. E., & Soto, J. A. (2020). A Disruption in the Balance of Attentional Systems Plays a Role in Trait Anxiety. Brain sciences, 10(10), 761. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10100761
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (2023, April 17). How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life? Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life on 2023, December 17
Ng T, Gupta V, Keshock MC (2023). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563174/
Ramos-Villagrasa, P. J. , Barrada, J. R. , Fernández-del-Río, E. , and Koopmans, L. (2019). Assessing Job Performance Using Brief Self-report Scales: The Case of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire. Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 35, 195 – 205. https://doi.org/10.5093/jwop2019a21
Sexton, M., Cuttler, C., & Mischley, L. K. (2019). A Survey of Cannabis Acute Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms: Differential Responses Across User Types and Age. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 25(3), 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0319
Testai FD, Gorelick PB, Aparicio HJ, Filbey FM, Gonzalez R, Gottesman RF, Melis M, Piano MR, Rubino T, & Song SY (2022). Use of Marijuana: Effect on Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association. Stroke. 2022;53:e176–e187. https://doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000396
Wolfrom, B., & Ng, V. K. (2020). Cannabis in the workplace: What physicians need to know. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 66(5), 317–318.