Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes- a prospective study 

In Summary:

A recent study has revealed that drivers who use ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) do not show an increased risk of crashing. Users of THC were also showed a statistically insignificant increased risk of crash responsibility than drivers who tested negative for THC use. Further research should be conducted to include all types of vehicles while excluding those involving drugs of abuse. The results seen in the featured study may have been skewed by the inclusion of drivers who used one or more drugs in combination with cannabis, including alcohol. Accident rates involving just cannabis use may prove to be even less than those found here. 

Driving while under the influence is still very risky, but perhaps the featured research warrants an examination of how to trace the amount of THC effect driving. Adults who are above the legal drinking age can drive as long as they are under a 0.08 blood-alcohol level so theoretically, there may be a level of THC consumption that may be allowed when driving, especially considering the lasting effects of certain consumption methods such as edibles and tinctures. Researchers could possibly create a mechanism, similar to that of a diabetes test, that would prick a driver’s finger and test for various cannabinoid content in their blood. This would obviously have challenges as there is a vast array of natural and synthetic cannabinoids but may be worth looking into as cannabis becomes more popular throughout North America. 

The study is available for review or download here

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

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