Cannabis use is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the workplace, including accidents, injuries, absenteeism and low productivity.

Cannabis use can impair:

• short-term memory
• cognition
• balance and coordination
• concentration
• sensory perception
• ability to perform complex tasks
• alertness and reaction time. 

These effects can last between two and six hours and can negatively affect workplace safety, performance and productivity. Employees who use cannabis can present a potential danger at work, especially if the user is operating machinery or driving a vehicle.

In 2015/16, the cost to Australian businesses due to cannabis-related occupational injury and absenteeism was estimated to exceed $560 million.