This study demonstrates that the issue of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is of concern as its legalization continues for highway safety officials. In Australia, law enforcement uses oral fluid testing to detect drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine, and ecstasy (MDMA) and portable breath testing for alcohol detection. 73% responded identified medical cannabis as the primary or only source of the cannabis used. Daily use was reported in 59% of the survey respondent (n=1,543). 

By THC product type of choice was:

-Predominantly THC products: 42.6% (n=826)

-THC / CBD combined products:23.9% (n=546)

-THC only products: 19% (n=434)

The preferred routes of THC administration were:

-Vaporization: 36.4% (n=918)

-Oral administration: 32.8% (n=826)

-Smoking: 19% (n=434)

Read time: 10-15 minutes

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This study examined cannabis use and driving impairment in older drivers. This small-scale cohort study of this age group (N=31) occurred in Toronto, Canada from March to November 2022. Utilizing a driving simulator for evaluation, drivers consumed THC dominant cannabis, researchers examined driving behavior at 30 and 180 minutes (3-hours) after last cannabis exposure. While blood THC and THC metabolite levels were elevated at the 30-minute mark, it had declined at the 180-minute mark. 

Weaving within a lane was the was the most common short-term driving behavior observed. Failure to maintain driving speed, as proposed by the authors, was in response to, “… the subject’s awareness that they were intoxicated”.Participants provided their personal subjective assessment of impairment and expressed being “less willing to drive” from 3 – 5 hours after their last exposure.

Of note was that the participants reported their cannabis habits as primarily recreational, more than once per week, and the cohort reported historical use for the past 40 years (mean value).   

More research is needed to fully understand the effects of cannabis upon driving behavior. Based upon existing research, it demonstrates that cannabis does have a detrimental effect on users who elect to drive after consumption regardless of years of use and tolerance.    

Read Time: 5-10 minutes 

Photo: Unsplash.com / McLean, E.

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This study provides excellent overview of historic research conducted into highway safety, alcohol / drug impairment and traffic risks previous to this report. Because legalized marijuana sales in the commercial adult use markets and data on associated consequences are still emerging, the researches cite the ongoing need to monitor data and trends to gain a better understanding of this issue.    

Read time: 10 minutes

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This trend of increases of detected THC levels in drivers, post-legalization, has been experienced in the United States as well. Alcohol and cannabis remain the two most detected impairing substances detected in the driving population. 

Read Time: 10-15 minutes 

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A new report in JAMA Psychiatry (January 26, 2022) examines a person self-perception of feeling high after using marijuana.  Authors Marcotte (et.al.) point out that the impairment felt after using marijuana can last for hours, even well after when a person thinks they are safe to drive.  

Clinical trials were conducted from 2017 – 2019 using marijuana of three (3) levels of THC potency, 13.4%, 5.9% and .02% (placebo). A driving simulator was also used to monitor effects to driving behavior. The participants (n=199) were divided into three (3) group by potency strains and were instructed to smoke the same way you would at home to get high.  When observing the driving behavior of the two (2) THC groups against the placebo group, the THC group “had a significant decline” in the driving abilities. The decline was most notable as soon as 30 minutes – 90 minutes. It was not until nearly 4 hours later when there was no significant  difference between the group. 

As to the participants subjective perception of their own state of impairment after use, a majority (nearly 70%) felt they were safe to drive after 90 minutes. This despite the fact there was no objective improvement in driving performance at that same point in time. The most favorable results in driving performance were seen at 4.5 hours after last use.  

Read Time: 10 minutes

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In a recent peer reviewed study published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH November 2021, Vol 111, No. 11) the authors (Lira et.al) examined longitudinal data concerning fatal motor vehicle crashes in America, from 2000 – 2018, and the detected presence of marijuana alone and marijuana in conjunction with alcohol in those cases. The source of this data was the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), part of the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The FARS database is populated nationally by traffic reports submitted by law enforcement and subsequent toxicology reports for drug testing. During this time there were over 721,000 fatal traffic crashes. 

Upon review of the fatal crash data, the authors noted that the trend for “alcohol only” involvement remained “stable”. However, upon looking at marijuana’s involvement, the authors noted an increase in the presence of detectable levels of marijuana in these fatality cases. Specifically, for marijuana alone, from 2000 – 2018, the involvement rate increased (138%) from 9% to 21.5%. For marijuana in combination with alcohol for the same time frame, the rate increased (114%) from 4.8% to 10.3%. 

Numerous studies cite that marijuana is the most frequently detected illicit drug detected in fatal car crashes, along with alcohol. Emerging public safety studies have noted that both alcohol and the THC found in marijuana do cause impairment to a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the synergistic effects that marijuana and marijuana in conjunction with alcohol has on drivers.  

The report offers an excellent foundation to examine the public health and public safety impacts represented by marijuana’s increasing prevalence in matters of highway safety. 

Read Time: 10-15 minutes

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The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA) just released their fact sheet on “Drugged Driving” (August 2021). The publication looks at findings from recent research into the issues associated to impaired driving from substances other than just alcohol. Given the current interest into the legalization of other drugs, beyond marijuana, the ramifications to highway / public safety have to be addressed and understood. Regardless of any personal position on legalization, we have to acknowledge that these choices have a broader potential impact to Americans as a whole. Following science and supporting research will help bridge those information gaps. 

Also available from LAPPA is their 2021 summary of the laws, by individual states, in America. Included with this summary is a list of resources to obtain additional information on “drugged driving”. 

Read Time: 5 – 10 minutes

Photo: Pixabay / Queven 

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The National Marijuana Initiative (NMI) created a summary of the Caucus’s 59 page document by highlighting their findings, recommendations and key points with respect to issues stemming from today’s marijuana in America. 

The role of the Senate Caucus is to encourage government and programs in the private sector, “seeking to expand international cooperation against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking.” To learn more about the Senate Caucus or to read the entire report, go to: https://www.drugcaucus.senate.gov/HomePage

Summary Read Time: <10 minutes

Photo: National HIDTA Assistance Center 

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 “Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol” (Rosenthal & Reed) released in November 2020, is the third in the series of that report that allows for a multi-year look at the issue. It offers insight as to the growing prevalence marijuana has as related to highway safety matters and driving under the influence (DUI) under Colorado law. 

Key findings in this report include:

• Total arrests for DUI in Colorado, from 2016 – 2018, declined by 3.6%
• During the same time, positive drugs test results for marijuana in DUI cases increased by 15.5%
• Alcohol and marijuana were the most common substances detected in DUI investigations
• Nearly 50% of all screened DUI tests for marijuana exceeded the legal permissible inference limit of 5 nanograms
• Crash rates were highest among drivers that tested positive for both alcohol and marijuana

Read Time: 30 – 60 minutes

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The December 1st, 2020 edition of JAMA (Vol. 324, No. 21) released the results of a study into impaired driving from the Netherlands titled, “Effect of Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Driving Performance” by T. Arkell (et.al.). The near year-long study examined the effects of vaporized cannabis products on safe driving performance. Of 41 potential participants,  26 individuals with a history of “occasional cannabis use”, were screened and selected to be part of this study. The term, “occasional cannabis use” was defined as less than twice a week in past 12 months or more than 10 lifetime exposures.

During the study, that focused on how well the drivers maintained lane position on a roadway, all drivers were administered marijuana that was either THC dominant (22% THC potency), Cannabidiol dominant (9% CBD potency), or a placebo. During and after the driving sessions blood was collected for analysis. Also, drivers provided their subjective feedback on their driving quality, sense of impairment, and confidence to safely operate a motor vehicle. Note: Of the 188 monitored drives by participants, 16 had to be stopped for safety reasons. 

Some of the findings for the drivers that used THC products, compared to the CBD and placebo drivers included:

• A lower confidence level in their driving ability
• A lower perception of their driving quality
• A higher sense of impairment 

The study showed that: 

• The THC drivers had greater difficulty in maintaining lane position up to 5-hours after use
• The drivers who used a CBD dominant or a placebo product, demonstrated no significant differences in their performance

Read Time: 5-10 minutes

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