Weed Might Make You a Better Employee

Have you ever been discriminated against at work for being a cannabis user? If so, you might want to take it up with HR. Then, show your nay-sayers this article.

According to a recent study, cannabis users are not worse employees. In fact, weed has numerous benefits that might actually make you a better worker, as long as it’s used after work.

Read on to learn more about what the researchers said. We’ll also provide tips for using weed off the clock to help you become a better employee.

Cannabis Use Doesn’t Affect Work Performance

The stigma that all pot smokers are lazy stoners simply is not true. And with legalization rates increasing all over the world, it’s time we put this theory to rest.

A study published in the journal Group & Organization Management found that using cannabis before and during work negatively impacts tasks that are related to work performance and organizational skills. It may also provoke counterproductive work behaviours.

However, the same study found that using weed after work was NOT related to negative work performance rates as indicated by the user’s direct supervisor.

In other words, using weed on the clock may impact your ability to do your job, but using weed after hours does not.

In fact, the study authors noted that using pot after work may improve job performance because it aids in relaxation, which helps restore resources spent during the day.

The researchers noted that this helps employees wake up the next morning with more energy and the ability to devote themselves to their job once they get back on the clock again.

Key Study Findings

Data was collected from 281 employees and their direct supervisors. It looked at the relationship between five types of workplace performance measures and three pot use measures, including just before work, during work, and after work usage.

The average age of subjects surveyed was 36 with approximately 47% men, 53% women, and 65% white. Approximately 56% of subjects had a four-year college degree or master’s degree.

The employees were asked to discuss the following:

• How many times they used weed within two hours of a work shift
• How many times within the past year they had smoked while on the clock
• How many times within the past year they had used weed within two hours of clocking out

The supervisors were asked to discuss their employee’s work performance by using a seven-item measure. They were also asked to report their employee’s behaviour through a 14-item measure.

Results from these responses indicated that work performance was affected by two of the three measures: using weed right before work and while at work. Contrary to popular belief, using weed after work did not affect performance.

The study authors noted that more research needs to be done on the stress relieving effects of weed use after clocking out as numerous benefits are suspected.

Correcting The Stoner Stigma

Although cannabis use has exploded in popularity over the past decade, many employers still test job applications for cannabis use based on the assumption that using weed in one’s free time would negatively impact their work performance.

However, according to study author and professor at San Diego State University, Jeremy Bernerth, many workplaces have not updated their perception of cannabis users. He noted that many weed users today have four-year college degrees and do not fit the standard stigma of the typical person who uses cannabis.

Because of this, Bernerth suggests that employers who still use drug tests need to prove that there is a reason for their practices. Otherwise, it could open the door for legal misinterpretation.

When asked what he thought about the study’s results, Bernerth said he was not surprised. He noted that many stereotypes of weed users are based on society’s assumptions and not necessarily scientific evidence.

He concluded by saying that more research needs to be done on why weed does not harm your job performance overall. Does it work by helping the user relax after a hard day? Does it help them get a better night’s sleep so they wake up feeling ready to go? This seems to be the case, based on the findings of this study.

Bernerth noted that as a society, we need to avoid assuming that weed users will be bad at their jobs like previous generations have done.

Tips For Using Cannabis to Improve Job Performance

As the study suggested, there are ways to use cannabis to become a better worker as long as you’re using it after you clock out. Here are some tips you can use to get you there:

• Be sure to wait two hours after your shift ends before using weed (or at least until you’re off the job site)
• If you’re a night shift worker, then use weed to help you sleep during the day when it’s more difficult due to lighting
• Smoke a joint at night in place of alcohol to help you sleep after an especially tough day
• Use marijuana on weekends to help destress and unwind from a long week (for example, take a hike in the woods after smoking a joint)
• If your job requires you to stand all day, consider rubbing CBD oil into your legs and tired muscles to help recover
• Consider taking a CBD supplement for its anti-inflammatory and mood-boosting benefits to assist with job performance

For more information, check out our article on how to use weed to increase focus and productivity after hours here.

Final Thoughts

It’s time to end the negative stigma that using weed makes you an unattractive employee. The study mentioned in this article shows that weed does not impact your work performance when used after hours.

In fact, it may even help you recover, destress, and sleep better so you can emerge as a better employee (and person!) the next day. Be sure to wait until you’re off the clock and off the job site before using weed.

Have you found that weed has helped you deal with your busy work day? Do you like to light up when you get off work? Have you found it helps you get a better night's sleep? Tell us all about it in the comments!