Smoking on the Clock: Colorado Companies Permit Cannabis Smoke Breaks

Denver, Colorado-based cannabis seed-to-sale company, Flowhub, is officially redefining the smoke break. Companies in Colorado are not only allowing cannabis smoking at work, they’re encouraging it. Flowhub’s founders say that cannabis increases creative productivity.

The Mile High City is miles ahead when it comes to progressive work policies.

A year ago, Kyle Sherman and Chase Wiseman co-founded Flowhub, and they’ve always embraced cannabis in all areas of their business. “Our philosophy at Flowhub is to get s*** done,” Sherman told CNN. “If it helps our employees get work done, then we don’t care if they consume at work.”

Sherman has a crew of 18 employees, and they’re free to bring in whatever they feel like, whether it’s a pre-roll or an edible. Sherman says it hasn’t affected productivity. “Our clients are some of the biggest firms in the cannabis industry,” said Sherman. “We have to be on point with our work. We’ve never had a problem yet.”

Flowhub is not alone. MassRoots and High There!, a cannabis dating app, are located across the street from each other in downtown Denver. Both companies allow employees to partake while on the clock. “Being in Denver, we’re in the heart of the cannabis industry . . . Cannabis is part of our culture,” said Darren Roberts, co-founder of High There!.

Some argue that cannabis is useful for brainstorming. MassRoots’ Isaac Dietrich defended the idea. “I thought up MassRoots when I was smoking weed in my college friend’s apartment,” said Dietrich. “Our general philosophy is that we need to be as productive and creative as possible, everyday,” he said. “If cannabis facilitates that, then we’re allowing it.” MassRoots hopes to amass one million users by 4/20 of this year.

Most companies in the cannabis industry still adopt the practice of sober working. Progressive companies like Flowhub are trying to change that.