Is the "grass" greener? Occupational wellness in the Colorado cannabis industry
Date
2016
Authors
Walters, Kevin M., author
Fisher, Gwenith, advisor
Dik, Bryan, committee member
Kraiger, Kurt, committee member
Reynolds, Stephen, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
This study is the first occupational safety and health evaluation of the cannabis industry of Colorado from an Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) perspective. Qualitative pilot data and common OHP theories provide a framework for project development, design, and rationale. This study investigated the following among cannabis industry workers: potential stressors, perceptions and awareness of physical safety hazards, strain outcomes, and organizational supports that might buffer relations between stressors and strain outcomes. Study results provide a first glimpse at the demographics of the cannabis industry and suggest that workers generally experience low strain and high levels of organizational supports in the presence of various physical and psychological stressors and hazards. However, results also suggest heterogeneous health and safety training, awareness, and regulation in the cannabis industry. Future research directions and practical implications for cannabis industry workers are provided.