1 in 3 Gen Z Smoke Weed While Working from Home, Study Shows

One in three Gen Zers is getting high while working from home, new data shows.

Ahead of 420 Day, a survey of 2,000 Gen Z from EduBirdie reveals cannabis has quietly become their drug of choice — overtaking both alcohol and tobacco in social acceptance. A striking 67% say they use weed, with 28% doing so daily.

And for many, it’s not reserved for evenings or weekends. More than a third (35%) say they smoke while working from home. Another 1 in 6 admit to using cannabis at the office, while 12% say they smoke on campus.

The reasons are straightforward. 53% of Gen Z say weed helps relieve stress, and 22% believe it improves their performance. In a generation often defined by high anxiety, many use it to get through pressure-filled moments — before exams (27%), work meetings (26%), and even before job interviews (25%).

But the habit is not without consequences. 23% of Gen Z cannabis users say it has already caused problems at work or school: performance dips (13%), suspensions (8%), and a lost job (2%).

There are financial strains, too. 17% say they’ve spent money on cannabis they couldn’t afford. That may not be surprising — 62% spend at least $50 a month, while 14% spend $200 or more.

Avery Morgan, CHRO at EduBirdie, explains: "28% of Gen Z say cannabis is more socially accepted than alcohol in their circle. But for employers, it’s far more complicated.Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, which means strict zero-tolerance rules remain in place for safety-sensitive jobs. However, there’s no simple way to measure if someone is high in the moment. Unlike alcohol, cannabis can stay in the body for weeks — so a positive test doesn’t prove impairment at work. This legal and practical gray area is exactly where Gen Z has pushed boundaries — and where employers are struggling to keep up."