“Many artists and writers have used cannabis for creative stimulation – from the writers of the world’s religious masterpieces to our most irreverent satirists.”
Jack Herer (American author of “The Emperor Wears No Clothes”)
The Impact of Marijuana on Workplace Productivity
The use of marijuana in the workplace, particularly in the creative fields, has become a topic of debate as more and more states and countries legalize recreational use. The idea that cannabis enhances creativity has even permeated the culture, with celebrities such as Steve Jobs and Beach Boys Frontman Brian Wilson extolling its benefits. But how does cannabis actually affect creativity at work? Does it really enhance creative productivity or is it just a belief?
The Perception of Creativity and Cannabis
Is there a relationship? Researchers have conducted studies to determine how cannabis use affects employees and organizations in the workplace. Two studies were conducted in Washington State, where recreational use is legal, and involved more than 300 cannabis users who used cannabis several times a week. Researchers had participants perform various creative tasks while under the influence of cannabis or 12 hours after their last use in order to determine the effect of cannabis on creativity in the workplace.
In the first study, participants were asked to list as many creative uses of cannabis as possible. In the second study, participants were asked to think of as many creative ideas as possible to increase revenue for a local music band. Participants and external reviewers were asked to evaluate the creativity of the ideas.
Results showed that cannabis use did not affect actual idea generation, but increased participants’ sense of cheerfulness or happiness and alertness. As a result, they rated their own ideas and the ideas of others as more creative than sober participants. However, the external evaluators did not observe any difference in the creativity of ideas produced by the drugged and sober participants. Therefore, cannabis use increases the originality of ideas but does not increase the ability to generate objectively creative ideas.
While cannabis use neither helps nor harms people’s creativity, the effect of cannabis on people’s ability to evaluate creative ideas suggests that there may be a potential disadvantage of cannabis use in the workplace. Executives or project managers tasked with evaluating creative ideas may be more prone to overestimate the benefits of an idea while under the influence of the drug. In these positions, sobriety can be helpful.
Agencies may need to reconsider across-the-board bans, mandatory drug testing, and other efforts to ban cannabis completely as more and more states and countries legalize cannabis. Research shows that banning cannabis use can be an unnecessary intrusion into workers’ lives, especially when it comes to generating creative ideas. But for jobs that require a clear assessment of creative potential, organizations can benefit from policies that respect personal freedom and encourage employees to stay sober.
What Does the Science Say?
The scientific evidence on the relationship between cannabis use and work performance is still new and evolving. Researchers have begun to investigate whether cannabis can alleviate anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Early results are mixed, with research suggesting that cannabis can both help and harm the psychological and physical well-being of users. Studies on workplace effects have shown that, in addition to affecting people’s ability to assess creativity at work, cannabis use can have a range of other potentially negative effects, such as memory impairments, reduced motivation, and impaired decision-making skills.
In conclusion, although cannabis may not have a significant effect on creativity in the workplace, its impact on how creativity is assessed cannot be ignored. It is important for leaders to implement policies that respect personal freedom while encouraging employees to stay sober in roles where the clear-headed evaluation of creative options is essential. As more research is conducted in this area, we may discover more nuanced approaches to navigating cannabis use in the workplace.