The latest cannabis-focused research from AmericanMarijuana.org indicates that 15 percent of Americans who worked from home amid COVID-19 were consuming the green plant.

What’s more, based on the findings of the AmericanMarijuana.org poll, more than 41 percent of non-remote employees below the age of 30 claimed to be puffing the herb during working hours.

All of the findings were focused on cannabis consumption behaviors among workers during the coronavirus pandemic, which has stimulated nationwide stay-at-home orders, business closures and social distancing measures in an effort to curb the virus’ spreading.

Key takeaways from the poll on employee cannabis consumption during COVID-19

A number of eye-opening findings were gleaned from the recently conducted poll. The undeniable popularity of cannabis – which appeared to grow amid the pandemic – could grasp lawmakers’ attention and potentially prompt nationwide reform.

The survey showed that veteran workforce members are partial to the plant. Let’s take a look at some other key takeaways from the poll:

• Participation rates sank slightly with age – The older people are, the less likely they are to admit smoking during working hours. One in three remote employees aged between 30 and 49 admitted to using weed at work.

• Females are more likely to reach for the joint – The differences in workplace cannabis consumption habits between both gender groups may be slight – 36.6 percent of men lit up during working hours and 37.9 percent of women – but it’s worth noting.
• Fewer blue-collar job workers consumed cannabis – The poll results found an interesting divide between the percentage of white-collar workers who admitted to on-the-job cannabis use (44.9 percent) and the percentage of blue-collar workers (21.6 percent.) According to the researchers, this divide is likely attributed to the fact that drug testing is normally mandatory for blue-collar workers.
• Corporate ladder consumption draws a fine line – It seems that many managers and employees share something in common: they like weed. Based on the poll findings, 37.6 percent of employees admitted to using cannabis on the clock. Trailing closely behind were managers, with 34.7 percent claiming that they used cannabis during working hours.
• People used more cannabis during the pandemic – Cannabis use among employees rose 30 percent after the pandemic erupted. Furthermore, 53 percent said that they used cannabis on-the-clock for the first time during the pandemic.
• Intriguing perceptions on cannabis – An interesting takeaway from the study on employee cannabis use during COVID-19 was that 12.5 percent of respondents thought everyone at work used the plant, while an additional 12.5 percent believed their bosses were herb-puffers, 37.2 percent were inclined to believe that their immediate coworkers used cannabis and 37.9 percent were in denial by thinking that nobody was indulging in the green stuff.
• Employee consumption behaviors – So, what did employees feel about getting high with their co-workers? Just 13 percent were interested in smoking weed with everybody, 17.8 percent wanted to enjoy a one-on-one smoking session with the boss in an attempt to climb the ladder, 28.7 percent were willing to get blazed with their coworkers and 40.2 percent were unhappy with the whole idea of using cannabis at work.

Respondents’ mostly satisfied with employer’s existing cannabis policies

The researchers responsible for carrying out this poll into employee cannabis use during COVID-19 also discovered that 8.2 percent of employees were satisfied with the prospect of allowing on-the-job consumption at any time. 

Furthermore, 36.1 percent said it was acceptable outside of the workplace, 35.3 percent said it was completely forbidden and 20.5 percent were unaware of their boss’s views on workplace cannabis consumption.

In terms of altering existing workplace cannabis policies, 72 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with their employer’s rules; of which they believe don’t need amending. Finally, 11 percent wanted drug policies to be tightened and 16.8 percent wanted workplace cannabis rules to be more relaxed.