Marijuana trajectories and associations with driving risk behaviors in Canadian youth 

In Summary

A recent study has found that drivers who increase their cannabis use as they transition from their teens into adulthood are more likely to participate in risky driving behavior. This data was gathered from interviews conducted utilizing the same population over a period of 6 years and split the groups into increased users, users who decreased use, those who abstained, and those who used cannabis occasionally. Only those who self-identified as increased users were likely to engage in dangerous driving situations, such as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol simultaneously. This data will hopefully improve harm reduction strategies to prevent at-risk groups from engaging in dangerous behaviors, especially in combination with alcohol. 

This study brings to light the issue of driving while under the influence of cannabis. Not all of the active cannabinoids in cannabis are psychoactive which means they are not necessarily dangerous to drive while taking. Cannabidiol (CBD) is well known and praised for its therapeutic effects without being psychoactive which is why it is so widely consumed. Users should still be mindful of any side effects, but not all cannabis products will inhibit driving capabilities.

The study is available for review or download here

View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive 

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