Cannabis Sensitization and Allergy in Cannabis Industry Workers, Recreational Cannabis Users, and Nonusers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Krevanko, Callan ; Kenleigh, Dorian ; Ghodsian, Niloufar ; Jansen, Karen ; Simpson, Christopher D. ; Sack, Coralynn
• Description:
  Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate respiratory and allergic health symptoms and sensitization to cannabis in cannabis workers while controlling for recreational cannabis use. Methods: We compared allergic and respiratory symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation among cannabis workers (n = 42) and recreational cannabis users (n = 20) and nonusers (n = 20) with no occupational exposure. Results: In multivariable regressions adjusted for recreational cannabis use, cannabis workers trended toward increased airway inflammation and decreased pulmonary function when compared to nonworkers. Compared to nonworkers, cannabis workers exhibited increased odds of cannabis sensitization on skin prick test (odds ratio, 9.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 193; P = 0.05) and reported a higher prevalence of allergic symptoms (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.91, 16.9; P = 0.07). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that occupational exposures contribute to the respiratory and allergic effects seen in cannabis workers, regardless of recreational cannabis use.
• Subjects:
  Agricultural Workers' Diseases Cannabis Hypersensitivity Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Cannabis; Occupational Health; Allergy; Respiratory Health; Workplace Exposure; Sensitization Cannabis; Respiratory Health; Lung Function; Occupational Exposure; Allergies; Allergic Reactions; Pulmonary Function; Sensitization;
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Washington ; San Francisco Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  7 pdf pages
• Volume:
  68
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071170
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2026 Jan; 68(1):47-53
• Email:
  cssack@uw.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Cannabis (CAS RN 8063-14-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6de462cefd3691207287d3d3568199cbda02321075c441251bf53f601b14072b1292d0b9a62157efcc908dfc2d6fc212293e1dff6c9b40541c41deb7a2527df4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257936/cdc_257936_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 316.55 KB ]