“It’s ‘just’ marijuana, right?” What You Need to Know about Marijuana
If you’ve ever heard someone – especially one of your employees – say, “It’s just marijuana; what’s the big deal?”, you’re not alone. In a world where attitudes toward marijuana are rapidly shifting and laws are changing, it’s tempting to assume marijuana use isn’t “that bad.”
Here’s the honest breakdown of this drug.
- Marijuana Impacts the Brain
Research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana (THC) binds to brain receptors involved in learning, memory, attention, and decision-making. That means even occasional use can affect cognitive performance in ways that matter on the job. For small business owners, that can translate into slower reaction times, more mistakes, and tasks taking longer than they should.
The concern is especially strong for young adults (potentially your newest employees) because their brains are still developing. Regular use can disrupt developmental pathways and potentially have long-term effects on cognition and productivity.
- Marijuana Is Stronger Than It Used to Be
It’s true that marijuana today is very different from the “Woodstock weed” of previous decades. Potency (meaning the amount of psychoactive THC) has increased dramatically over time. Higher THC levels are linked to stronger short-term effects and a greater likelihood of negative outcomes like anxiety, paranoia, and impaired judgment.
For an employer, that can mean unpredictable impairment, decreased safety awareness, and inconsistent performance, all of which matter if your business involves equipment, customer service, or decision-making responsibilities.
- There’s a Real Link Between Marijuana and Mental Health Challenges
Multiple studies show a connection between regular marijuana use and increased risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms in susceptible individuals. That doesn’t mean marijuana causes mental illness in everyone, but it does raise risks, especially for people with underlying vulnerabilities.
As an employer, you care about a healthy, reliable team. Anything that increases stress, mood issues, or unpredictability, whether it’s alcohol, sleep deprivation, marijuana, or other stressors, affects workplace culture and performance.
4. Impairment Isn’t Always Obvious — And That Matters for Safety
A big reason employers worry about marijuana isn’t moral, it’s practical. Unlike caffeine or a good night’s sleep, marijuana can impair reaction time, coordination, focus, and clear thinking. Someone might feel okay but still be functionally impaired.
In safety-sensitive roles like driving, operating machinery, making financial decisions, and even interacting with customers, that kind of hidden impairment can lead to accidents, costly errors, and liability concerns.
When you look past the hype, marijuana use introduces unnecessary risk into the workplace. Impairment isn’t always obvious, potency continues to rise, and mental health effects can be unpredictable. Employers don’t need more uncertainty. They need employees who are alert, dependable, and ready to perform. Encouraging a marijuana-free workplace isn’t outdated; it’s a practical way to reduce risk and protect both workers and operations.
Sources:
Drug Free America Foundation. (2018). Effects of marijuana on mental health [PDF]. https://www.dfaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Effects-of-Marijuana-on-Mental-Health-web.pdf
Drug Free America Foundation. (2024). Marijuana potency and mental health [PDF]. Marijuana Know the Truth. https://www.marijuanaknowthetruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MJ-Potency-and-MH.pdf
Mack, A., & Joy, J. (2000). HOW HARMFUL IS MARIJUANA? Marijuana as Medicine? - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224396/
The Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA). (2018). Busting the top 10 marijuana myths [PDF]. https://www.dfaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Busting-the-Top-10-Marijuana-Myths.pdf