2020/05/22 by Wade R. Biasutti, Kurt S. H. Leffers, Russell C. Callaghan · 1 citation
Medicine · Health Professions · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research #Homelessness and Social Issues #Agriculture and Farm Safety
paper · doi:10.1080/10826084.2020.1759643
openalex publication_date 2020/05/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02
Wade R. Biasuttia, Kurt S. H. Leffersa & Russell C. Callaghanb*a Northern Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia; b Northern Medical Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia; Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org//10.1080/10826084.2020.1759643CONTACT Kurt S. H. Leffers [email protected], [email protected] Northern Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, V2N 4Z9, CanadaAbstractAim: A range of nations, including countries of the European Union, Australia, and the Americas have recently implemented or proposed reforms to how they control cannabis use, thereby departing from traditional approaches of criminal prohibition that have dominated throughout most of the twentieth century. Given these policy developments and the widespread global use of cannabis, it is critically important to understand the possible risks associated with cannabis use in relation to major societal harms. Methods: This systematic review investigates the potential link between cannabis use and occupational injury. Consequently, it appraises all available current literature from five databases, following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Results: Seven of the 16 reviewed studies show evidence supporting a positive association between cannabis use and occupational injury. One study shows evidence supporting a negative association and the remaining eight studies show no evidence of a significant relation. None of the studies assessed cannabis-related impairment. Only three of the reviewed studies show clear evidence that cannabis use preceded the occupational-injury event. Conclusion: The current body of evidence does not provide sufficient evidence to support the position that cannabis users are at increased risk of occupational injury. Further, the study quality assessment suggests significant biases in the extant literature are present due to potential confounding variables, selection of participants, and measurement of exposures and outcomes. Future high-quality evidence will be needed to elucidate the relation between cannabis use and occupational injury.