How Brewery Workers Are Using Cannabis for Relief

It’s no secret that brewery work can be dangerous. And while some unionisation efforts by brewery workers in recent years have been successful, many workers still suffer mental and physical consequences from their jobs.

Some of it is due to poor working conditions, while others are due to outdated methods of working, particularly when it comes to the more physical roles within a brewery, such as packaging line work, cellar operation, and brewing itself.

To cope with the physical and mental demands of brewing jobs in the brewing industry, many workers have turned to a natural supplement to help them stay comfortable: cannabis.

The cannabis sativa plant is capable of so much more than producing a high: it has a variety of research-backed therapeutic benefits. And many brewery workers and manual labourers are taking advantage of these benefits to help them physically relax, unwind after a long day, and sleep better at night.

Common Aches & Pains Brewery Workers Face

While not all brewery workers are subject to the same types of physical and mental strain, many perform tasks that require long hours on their feet, repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and other intensive labour—all of which can contribute to long-term physical discomfort.

Some of the most common types of discomfort brewery workers report include:

• Persistent soreness from hours of lifting, bending, and moving heavy barrels and brewing equipment.
• Disrupted sleep due to lingering pain or physical overexertion.
• Tension and fatigue in the lower back, shoulders, and knees from repetitive strain and awkward working positions.
• Mental exhaustion or irritability that builds over time due to unmanaged chronic pain.

It works out perfectly, however, that those “big three” discomforts – pain, sleep, and stress – are some of the use cases for which cannabis is most effective.

How Brewery Workers Use Cannabis

While there isn’t any scientific research looking at cannabis use among brewery workers, specifically, there is ample research on how injured workers, more generally, use cannabis.

Recent research of nearly 1,200 injured workers in Ontario found that over 27% used cannabis in the past year, and 14% used it specifically to manage their work-related injuries or illnesses [1]. These workers were also more likely to report pain that interfered with daily life, poor sleep, and psychological distress.

With only about 20% of cannabis-using injured workers having medical authorization, and two-thirds not receiving any guidance from a healthcare provider [1], many are seeking natural options like cannabis extracts for relief on their terms.

Anecdotally, many brewery workers use cannabis on their terms to manage work-related mental and physical fatigue.

How Cannabis May Promote Physical Relaxation

Cannabis gets you high, but to fully understand why so many brewery workers are turning to it, it’s important to know that its therapeutic benefits go far beyond its mental effects.

Scientific research has found dozens of potential use cases for cannabis; below is a sampling of the studies on the benefits of cannabis;  for stress, pain, and sleep, the main discomforts brewery workers consume the plant:

• Stress & Anxiety: Research on cannabis for anxiety suggests it may have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects for some people, while causing the opposite effect in others. Studies suggest that cannabis is most effective at promoting mental relaxation in smaller doses.
• Pain & Inflammation: Research suggests cannabis may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-reducing) properties.
• Sleep: Research suggests cannabis may promote restful sleep through its euphoric, relaxing effects [2]. Cannabis products high in cannabinol (CBN) or that are made with indica strains may be particularly beneficial for this use.

Best Cannabis Extracts for Natural Relief

While there are multitudes of studies on the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, generally, there are many different types of cannabis extract. Each varies in its overall strength, effectiveness, and ideal use cases.

Here are the three best cannabis extracts for natural physical and mental relief:

• Rick Simpson Oil (RSO): RSO is a concentrated cannabis extract recognized for its rich THC levels and potential therapeutic properties. It retains all cannabinoids and plant compounds, delivering what’s called the “entourage effect,” in which compounds work synergistically for greater therapeutic benefits. RSO is favoured by workers with ongoing issues like joint pain, inflammation, and sleep disturbances, and it can be taken orally, sublingually, or even applied topically.
• THC Distillate: THC distillate is a highly refined cannabis extract that offers potent relief from pain and inflammation. Because it’s nearly pure THC, it’s most popular among workers seeking strong psychoactive effects alongside physical relaxation. It’s often vaporised or consumed in capsules for fast, lasting relief from muscle tension or chronic soreness.
• Full-Spectrum CBD Oil: Full-spectrum CBD oil contains a range of cannabinoids, including trace THC, which enhances its calming, anti-inflammatory effects without strong psychoactivity. It’s especially helpful for daytime use when pain relief is needed without mental cloudiness. CBD is also known to support mood balance and improve sleep, two common struggles for physically active workers.

A Natural Solution for Work-Related Discomforts

Brewery workers operate in one of the most physically demanding corners of the service industry. As aches, sleepless nights, and stress build up, more workers are exploring natural relief through cannabis extracts as they realise that pharmaceuticals aren’t necessarily always the best route. Options like RSO, THC distillate, and full-spectrum CBD provide targeted ways to address chronic discomfort and promote recovery, helping workers feel better both on and off the job.