Employing over half a million workers across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail new occupational health challenges are coming to light. One unexpected but increasingly widespread issue is foot pain. From budtenders standing long hours behind dispensary counters to cultivation workers tending crops in greenhouses, the physical demands of cannabis work are leading to alarming rates of chronic foot discomfort, injury, and fatigue.
This growing problem raises key questions: Why is foot pain so prevalent in cannabis jobs, what are the risks, and what can employers do to protect their workforce?
Long Hours on Hard Surfaces Are Taking a Toll on Cannabis Workers’ Feet
One of the primary reasons for elevated foot pain in the cannabis industry is simple: prolonged standing. Many cannabis jobs, particularly in retail dispensaries, require employees to remain on their feet for eight to twelve hours a day. Unlike traditional office jobs, cannabis work offers little opportunity to sit, rest, or change positions.
Budtenders, who often serve as the public face of the industry, spend entire shifts assisting customers, stocking shelves, and maintaining inventory all while standing on concrete or tile floors. Over time, this constant pressure can lead to plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, joint strain, and lower back problems.
In cultivation and processing facilities, workers often stand on uneven ground, walk long distances, and perform repetitive motions, all risk factors for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Unique Work Environments Contribute to the Problem
Unlike traditional agriculture or retail industries, cannabis operations often take place in controlled indoor environments such as greenhouses, warehouses, or converted industrial buildings. While these spaces are optimized for plant production, they are rarely designed with ergonomic principles in mind.
Common issues include:
Hard flooring surfaces (concrete, epoxy)
Poor ventilation and temperature control
Inadequate break areas or seating
Low lighting and cramped workstations
These environmental factors compound the physical stress placed on workers’ feet. In cultivation settings, frequent bending, crouching, and lifting further strain the lower body. Meanwhile, processing roles such as trimming, packaging, and labeling may require employees to remain in static positions for long periods, reducing blood circulation to the legs and feet.
Cannabis Industry Data Suggests Elevated Rates of Musculoskeletal Pain
While large scale, peer-reviewed studies are still limited due to the industry’s young age, early data and surveys point to a trend of higher than average musculoskeletal complaints among cannabis workers.
A 2024 internal report by a California-based safety consultancy found that nearly 60% of cannabis employees reported moderate to severe foot or leg pain within their first year of employment. In comparison, similar data from general retail industries hovers closer to 40%.
The problem isn’t isolated to one job category:
Retail staff reported discomfort from long hours standing on hard floors.
Cultivation workers experienced pain from repetitive movements and uneven ground.
Processing and packaging employees cited static postures and lack of ergonomic support.
The takeaway is clear: foot pain in cannabis isn’t a niche issue, it’s widespread and systemic.
The Cost of Ignoring Foot Health in Cannabis Workplaces
Ignoring foot health doesn’t just hurt workers, it hurts businesses, too. Chronic pain can lead to reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased turnover, a costly problem in an industry already struggling with labor shortages and compliance demands.
In addition, untreated foot problems can escalate into more serious musculoskeletal disorders, including knee and hip pain, sciatica, and back injuries all of which can trigger workers’ compensation claims and medical expenses.
Workplace morale and engagement may also suffer. Employees who are physically uncomfortable are less likely to deliver strong customer service or maintain high-quality production standards—two pillars of success in the cannabis space.
Employers Can Take Steps Now to Reduce Foot Pain Among Workers
Fortunately, there are practical, evidence-based strategies cannabis employers can implement to address and prevent foot pain. These include:
1. Investing in Anti-Fatigue Mats and Ergonomic Flooring
Providing cushioned mats at workstations, counters, and processing tables can significantly reduce pressure on the feet and lower limbs. These surfaces absorb shock, improve circulation, and help maintain posture.
2. Encouraging Supportive Footwear
Employers can educate staff on proper footwear or even offer stipends for work shoes. Supportive shoes with arch cushioning, shock absorption, and non-slip soles can make a major difference in comfort and safety.
3. Scheduling Frequent Breaks
Rotating tasks and allowing employees to sit or stretch every hour helps relieve pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce fatigue. Even short micro breaks can prevent chronic issues over time.
4. Designing Ergonomic Workstations
For trimming or packaging roles, adjustable tables and seating options allow employees to vary their positions, improving posture and reducing strain on the feet.
5. Offering Health and Wellness Education
Employers can bring in ergonomic specialists or occupational health professionals to teach staff about stretching routines, footwear selection, and injury prevention.
Workers Are Speaking Up and the Industry Is Starting to Listen
As awareness grows, worker advocacy groups and unions, such as the Teamsters, are calling for improved health and safety standards across cannabis workplaces. Some state regulators are beginning to include ergonomic risk assessments in their compliance inspections.
Progressive cannabis companies are taking the lead, implementing wellness programs and conducting employee surveys to identify pain points. Several have already seen results, reporting fewer injury claims and higher satisfaction scores after upgrading flooring and footwear policies.
Prioritizing Foot Health is Key to a Sustainable Cannabis Workforce
The cannabis industry has matured rapidly, evolving from an underground market into a multi-billion-dollar employment sector. Yet, workplace health and safety practices haven’t always kept pace. Addressing foot pain is part of a broader shift toward professionalizing the workforce and building long-term careers in cannabis.
By recognizing foot pain as a legitimate occupational hazard—and implementing proactive solutions cannabis employers can create safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces.
Prolonged standing, hard surfaces, and static tasks make cannabis work a hotspot for foot pain. Employers who invest in ergonomic design, proper footwear, and wellness programs can protect their staff, reduce costs, and improve overall performance.
