Marijuana and Job Performance: Comparing the Major Streams of Research

Abstract

Though some estimate that marijuana use has cost U.S. companies billions of dollars in lost productivity, the relationship between use of marijuana and job performance is far from clear. In this paper, I review studies on this topic from four different methodological perspectives and discuss models to account for their apparently contradictory findings. This discussion suggests hypotheses for future research addressing possible reasons for inconsistencies in past findings.

Alcohol, drugs, and workplace safety outcomes: A view from a general model of employee substance use and productivity.

“…Therefore, it is not surprising that past reviewers have unequivocally drawn the same conclusion. The consensus is that past research has failed to show that alcohol and drug use is a consistent and robust predictor of workplace accidents and injuries (e.g., Feinauer, 1990;Macdonald, 1997;Macdonald & Wells, 1994;Normand et al, 1994;Schwenk, 1998;Stallones & Kraus, 1993;Webb et al, 1994;Zwerling, 1993). However, because of various methodological weaknesses in past research, these reviewers also suggest that it is premature to conclude that employee substance use plays no causal role in the etiology of workplace injuries and accidents.…”

“…McAndrews, 1994;Folton & Evans, 1993;Heishman, 1998;Maisto, Galizio, & Connors, 1999;C. S. Martin, 1998;Normand et al, 1994;Schwenk, 1998;Walker, Zacny, Galva, & Lichtor, 2001). In contrast, stimulants typically either have no effect or improve performance in laboratory settings (e.g., Coambs & McAndrews, 1994;Folton & Evans, 1993;Heishman, 1998;Maisto et al, 1999;Normand et al, 1994).…”

Early adolescent marijuana use: risks for the transition to young adulthood

“…Stein et al (1993) report small, but significant, relationships between mid-adolescent marijuana use and job dissatisfaction and being fired in the mid-twenties. Adolescent drug use is positively related to later income among young males, but the relationship becomes negative by their midthirties (Kandel et al 1995 ;Schwenk, 1998). Finally, some investigators find an association between adolescent drug use and later job instability (Kandel et al 1985).…”

Work place violence and negative affective responses: A test of Agnew's general strain theory

“…Greenberg & Grunberg, 1995;L. Greenberg & Barling, 1999;Grunberg, Moore, & Greenberg, 1998;Gupta & Kleiner, 2005;Johnson & Indvik, 1996;Pearson, 2005;Schiff, 1997;Schwenk, 1998). Of course, since many positions in the work force rely on the focus, alertness, enthusiasm, and assiduousness of each employee, problems often result when those characteristics are compromised at any level (Hinduja, 2006).…”