Associations Between Marijuana Use and Involuntary Job Loss in US-representative longitudinal and cross-sectional samples.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate whether marijuana use is associated with involuntary job loss.

METHODS:

Multivariable survey logistic analysis of longitudinal (2001-2002/2003-2004) and cross-sectional data (2012-2013) from National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).

RESULTS:

Marijuana use increased for all user groups with most workers who use marijuana using marijuana monthly (2.7% in 2001-2002 and10.8% in 2012-2013). Past year marijuana users in 2001-2002 had higher odds of involuntary job loss in 2003-2004 (OR 1.27; 95%CI 1.13-1.41). Daily marijuana use is associated with higher odds of job loss in adjusted analyses using longitudinal (OR 2.18; 95%CI 1.71-2.77) and cross-sectional data (OR 1.40; 95%CI 1.06-1.86). Income significantly modifies these effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings indicate that job loss may be an overlooked social cost of marijuana use for US workers. Future studies using an occupational health perspective are needed.