A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers a rigorous review of scientific research published since 1999 about the health impacts of cannabis and cannabis-derived products – such as marijuana. It lays out substantial evidence that associates the use of cannabis with the development of psychoses and schizophrenia, but also provides studies that show its potential benefits, such as relief of chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Other benefits include: improvement of multiple sclerosis spasticity, improvement of short-term sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis, potential improvement of anxiety symptoms, and increasing appetite and decreasing weight loss in patients with HIV and AIDS.
But it also points out potential risks: worsening of respiratory symptoms and more frequent bronchitis with long-term smoking, increase in motor vehicle accidents, low birth weight in offspring of maternal smoker, and higher risk of cannabis overdose in children in states where cannabis is legal.
The report also acknowledges that it has been difficult for researchers to do rigorous research on marijuana, partly because of the federal classification of it as a Schedule 1 substance.
Employer takeaway: This report demonstrates how much more needs to be done – many health questions remain to be answered by better research. The increased legal availability of cannabis products in many states and the uncertain legal landscape has complicated workplace policies. It’s prudent for employers to establish a clear policy and communicate it effectively to employees as well as stay abreast of all legal decisions and regulations in the states where they do business.
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