NorthJersey.com WAYNE — Middle-aged adults claim up to 20% less in workers' compensation benefits in states where recreational marijuana is legal, according to a new study. The research also found that the drug caused an associated decline in the rate of non-fatal work injuries. Rahi Abouk, who teaches economics and finance at William Paterson University, co-authored the paper with professors from the University of Cincinnati at Blue Ash and Temple University, as well as a representative of the RAND Corporation, a California-based think tank. "It suggests people who use cannabis have a better work capacity and that they'll make fewer mistakes," Abouk said this week about the team's findings.