Most Workers Who Use Cannabis for Health Reasons Want Clinician Guidance
A survey commissioned by cannabis wellness company EO Care found that many employed Americans are already using cannabis for health-related reasons, while an even larger share say they would be more comfortable doing so with clinical oversight.
The September 2023 EO Care survey included 1,027 adults who worked at least part time and lived in states where cannabis was legal for medical or adult use. Eighteen percent said they had used cannabis for health reasons during the previous year, 19 percent had used it recreationally, and 14 percent reported both types of use.
Among respondents who used cannabis, anxiety, pain and sleep were the most commonly cited reasons. Eighty-eight percent of medical cannabis users said cannabis had reduced their use of prescription drugs, alcohol or both. Because the finding was based on participants’ own reports—and the survey was conducted for a company that sells cannabis-related services—it should not be interpreted as evidence that cannabis caused those reductions or is an effective substitute for prescribed treatment.
The survey’s clearest message concerned the demand for professional guidance. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they would feel more comfortable using cannabis if a clinician screened the product and provided dosing guidance. That result suggests that some people are interested in cannabis for health purposes but remain uncertain about product selection, dosage, possible drug interactions and whether it is appropriate for their medical history.
Those concerns are significant because state legalization has expanded access without creating a uniform system for medical evaluation or product standards. The Food and Drug Administration explains that it has not approved cannabis itself to treat any disease or condition, although it has approved specific cannabis-derived and cannabis-related prescription drugs for limited uses. Many cannabis products sold through state markets have not undergone the FDA’s review for safety, effectiveness and quality.
EO Care co-founder and CEO Sean Collins argued that conventional healthcare providers may not have enough training in cannabis-based products, while retail dispensaries are not designed to provide comprehensive medical advice. EO Care markets a digital service that connects employees with clinicians who develop personalized guidance based on factors such as symptoms, medical history, current medications and daily routines.
The survey also examined cannabis as an employee benefit. Fifty-one percent of respondents said they would be likely or very likely to use cannabis if it were offered through their health plan. Fifty-six percent said they would be more likely to take a job at a company whose health plan included cannabis care. Conversely, 44 percent said they would reconsider applying to a company that tested for previous cannabis use or prohibited cannabis use outside the workplace.
These findings reflect employee attitudes, not evidence that cannabis benefits improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs or increase workplace performance. They also come from a sample limited to employed adults in legal-cannabis states, so they may not represent the broader U.S. population.
Still, the results point to a practical challenge for employers and healthcare professionals: cannabis use is increasingly part of employees’ health decisions, but guidance remains uneven. Public opinion has also shifted substantially. In an October 2022 survey, the Pew Research Center found that 88 percent of U.S. adults favored legal marijuana either for medical and recreational use or for medical use only.
For patients considering cannabis, the survey’s most useful takeaway is not that cannabis is a proven treatment for anxiety, pain or insomnia. It is that many consumers want clearer, individualized information before using it—and that clinicians, pharmacists and employers will increasingly need reliable ways to discuss potential benefits, limitations, side effects and drug interactions.
