Marijuana and Driving? How much of a danger is it really?

October 27, 1:20 PMBoston NORML ExaminerMike Cann

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This is always a touchy subject for marijuana reformers. Let me start of by saying I am not suggesting that stoned driving is no threat at all. Nor am I defending driving under the influence of marijuana. Speaking from my own life experiences, I think young inexperienced drivers are already a danger on the road, throw in some pot and it definitely is not a safe situation.

But what about with experienced drivers and users of cannabis?

Speed TV UK did an experiment with a driver on a road test with some surprising results. The driver did the worst while drunk but surprisingly did better on the road course under the influence of cannabis versus when he was completely sober.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) does not defend driving under the influence of cannabis but they have reported the truth about driving and cannabis.

Such as this from a recent study: "drivers with low levels of alcohol present in their blood (below 0.05%) experienced a greater elevated risk as compared to drivers who tested positive for high concentrations of cannabis (above 5ng/ml)." From Laumon et al. 2005. Cannabis intoxication and fatal road crashes in France: a population base case-control study. British Medical Journal 331: 1371-1377.

So basically if I drive after having one beer, I am more of a danger on the road than if I just recently smoked a joint? According to science this looks to be true. Yet driving while having a BAC of .05 (one beer for most people) is completely legal and the other is not. Should we outlaw alcohol again? Lower the BAC for driving to zero? I think not. Let's be practical, a person driving after one beer is nowhere as dangerous as one that just drank a twelve pack.

Related links from NORML:

Texting drivers more dangerous than drunks… who are more dangerous than stoners!

Cannabis and Driving: A Scientific and Rational Review