Cannabis use among workers with work-related injuries and illnesses: results from a cross-sectional study of workers’ compensation claimants in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

ObjectivesLittle is known about how workers use cannabis following a work-related injury/illness, including whether they receive clinical guidance. The objective was to compare characteristics of workers using and not using cannabis after a work-related injury/illness and describe use patterns.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsWorkers who experienced a work-related physical injury/illness resulting in one or more days of lost time compensated by the workers’ compensation authority in Ontario, Canada (n=1196).MethodsParticipants were interviewed 18 or 36 months after their injury/illness. Participants were asked about their past-year cannabis use, including whether use was for the treatment of their work-related condition. Sociodemographic, work and health characteristics were compared across cannabis groups: no past-year use; use for the work-related condition; use unrelated to the work-related condition. Cannabis use reasons, patterns, perceived impact and healthcare provider engagement were described.ResultsIn total, 27.4% of the sample reported using cannabis (14.1% for their work-related condition). Workers using cannabis for their condition were less likely to be working (58.0%) and more likely to have quite a bit/extreme pain interference (48.5%), psychological distress (26.0%) and sleep problems most/all the time (62.1%) compared with those not using cannabis (74.3%, 26.3%, 12.0% and 38.0%, respectively) and those using cannabis for other reasons (74.2%, 19.5%, 12.0% and 37.1%, respectively) (all p<0.0001). No significant differences were observed in medical authorisations for use among those using cannabis for their condition (20.4%) or unrelated to their condition (15.7%) (p=0.3021). Healthcare provider guidance was more common among those using cannabis for their condition (32.7%) compared with those using for other reasons (17.1%) (p=0.0024); however, two-thirds of this group did not receive guidance.ConclusionsCannabis may be used to manage the consequences of work-related injuries/illnesses, yet most do not receive clinical guidance. It is important that healthcare providers speak with injured workers about their cannabis use.

Cannabis use motives and associations with personal and work characteristics among Canadian workers: a cross-sectional study

“…Unlike prior studies, which were mainly conducted more than 10 years ago, sleep and medical motives were also reported by almost a third of respondents, perhaps reflecting the growing public discourse on the therapeutic potential of cannabis [35,36]. A recent study conducted by our team also found that workers' compensation claimants often reported using cannabis to cope with stress and for relaxation, but those who reported using cannabis specifically for their injury and illness symptoms more often reported use for pain, sleep, and mental health [14]. While evidence to support the effectiveness of cannabis for physical and mental health continues to evolve [37], healthcare providers should be aware of these common motivations for use among their working patients in order to best counsel them on use.…”

“…Working adults, in particular, may experience various work-related circumstances that motivate them to use cannabis, such as high work stress, low job satisfaction, and long hours or irregular shifts [12]. Indeed, recent data suggests cannabis use is common in the working population [12][13][14][15][16]. However, little is known about why workers use cannabis.…”

Does acute cannabidiol (CBD) use impair performance? A meta-analysis and comparison with placebo and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

“…The global increase in legal access to cannabis and cannabinoid-based products for medical and non-medical purposes has been paralleled by their widespread promotion and use. In particular, North America has the highest rate of cannabis use in the world, where some of the first jurisdictions to legalize cannabis exist [ 1 – 3 ]. In recent years, North America has been reported to have the highest prevalence of past-year cannabis use compared to other sub-regions globally at 14.5% [ 4 ].…”