Cannabis Legalization Linked To Increase in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions

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Legalization of leisure marijuana might be related to a boost in deadly automobile crashes based upon information from the United States, and authors talk about the ramifications for Canada in an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

“Analyses of data suggest that legalization of recreational cannabis in United States jurisdictions may be associated with a small but significant increase in fatal motor vehicle collisions and fatalities, which, if extrapolated to the Canadian context, could result in as many as 308 additional driving fatalities annually,” statesMs Sarah Windle, Lady Davis Institute/ McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, with coauthors.

In Canada, the variety of individuals reporting marijuana usage increased from 14% in 2018 (prior to legalization) to 17% in 2019 (after legalization). Among marijuana users with a chauffeur’s license, 13% reported driving within 2 hours of marijuana usage, with the variety of people who reported driving after current marijuana usage increasing from 573,000 to 622,000 An analysis of 2012 information approximated the expense of cannabis-related crashes in Canada to be $1.1 billion each year in social and financial expenses, with chauffeurs aged 34 years and more youthful accountable for the bulk of the expenses.

Health care companies can contribute in informing clients, and the authors recommend resources to assist.

“Health care professionals have an opportunity to educate patients about the safer use of cannabis products, including advising against cannabis use and driving (especially in combination with alcohol), with a suggested wait time of at least 6 hours before driving,” the authors state.

Government policy and public awareness might likewise help in reducing the threat of injuries and deaths from driving after marijuana usage.

“Implementation of impaired driving regulations and educational campaigns, including federal THC driving limits and public awareness of these limits, may contribute to the prevention of potential increases in cannabis-impaired driving in Canada,” the authors conclude.

Reference: “Impaired driving and legalization of recreational cannabis” by Sarah B. Windle, Crystal Sequeira, Kristian B. Filion, Brett D. Thombs, Pauline Reynier, Roland Grad, Carolyn Ells and Mark J. Eisenberg, 5 April 2021, Canadian Medical Association Journal
DOI: 10.1503/ cmaj.191032