Increase in comp frequency after states allow recreational cannabis: report

Claim frequency increased by an average of 7.7% in states after the adoption of recreational cannabis laws, according to a new study released Wednesday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

WCRI also noted that per-claim medical payments declined, the number of prescriptions for pain medications decreased, and there was no change in indemnity benefits or total claim duration, at least not in the early years after states moved to allow those 21 and older to use cannabis recreationally.

As of 2024, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have adopted recreational cannabis laws. WCRI said frequency increases for several categories of workers were larger than the average 7.7% observed across all workers in the period after the cannabis laws took effect. The frequency increase was largest among workers in safety-sensitive positions at 11.7%. The frequency increase for workers in physically demanding positions was 9.9%, and the increase for young adults was 9.7%.

WCRI said in its report that claim frequency likely increased as a result of recreational use of cannabis, leading to intoxication or withdrawal symptoms at work, arguing that the results “point to a clear increase in the risk of work-related injuries after (marijuana law) adoption.”

WCRI also said that while claim counts increased in states after they passed recreational cannabis laws, the overall downward trend in claim frequency over the last decade was not affected.

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