Yo, peeps! Check it out, this dope study was done up in Canada where they legalized weed for medical and recreational use. It found that over 14% of workers who got injured on the job used cannabis to help them recover. That’s right, fam, weed is helping people heal!
The study was done by researchers from the University of Toronto and they surveyed almost 1,200 Canadians who had gotten workers’ compensation for an injury or sickness. They talked to these peeps 18 months and 36 months after their injury, asking them about their cannabis use in the past year. They wanted to know if they were using it to treat their work-related condition.
They split the participants into three groups: those who didn’t use weed in the past year, those who used it for their work-related injury, and those who used it for other reasons not related to work. Then they checked out the differences between these groups and looked at why they used cannabis, how it affected them, and if they talked to their healthcare providers about it.
So here’s the scoop, my homies. About one in seven of these injured workers said they used medical cannabis specifically for their job-related injuries. And let me tell you, these peeps were experiencing more pain and sleep disruption compared to those who didn’t use weed. Around 13% of them even used cannabis for non-work-related reasons.
But here’s the kicker, most of these workers didn’t talk to their doctors about using medical marijuana. It turns out that many healthcare professionals aren’t really prepared to have that convo with their patients when it comes to using weed as medicine. Crazy, right?
The researchers were like, “Yo, this study gives us some fresh knowledge about how injured workers are using cannabis.” They were stoked to find out that workers are turning to weed months after their injury. It’s like they’re finding relief from the pain and stuff.
They also recommended that healthcare providers talk to their patients about using medical cannabis. These workers are getting some benefits from weed, but they’re doing it without any medical guidance. So, it’s important for the doctors to have those convos and let them know about the potential benefits and risks of using cannabis as medicine.
Now, let me break it down for you when it comes to workers’ comp and medical marijuana. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) did an analysis of this study. They found that US courts have been all over the place when it comes to whether workers’ comp should cover medical cannabis in states where it’s legal.
So far, six states like Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania allow workers’ comp insurance to cover medical cannabis use for work-related injuries. But get this, seven states including Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Florida, North Dakota, Ohio, and Washington specifically say “nah” to reimbursing medical cannabis.
NORML thinks this is messed up. They believe that if patients and doctors see weed as a legit option for treatment, then they should be entitled to the same rights as those using conventional meds. That means insurance should cover medical cannabis treatment too.
So there you have it, my peeps. Weed is making its mark in the world of worker’s comp. It’s helping injured workers recover and find relief from pain. But there’s still a long way to go when it comes to getting insurance to cover medical cannabis. Let’s keep fighting the good fight and advocating for our right to heal with the herb! Stay lit!