* Not that I’m an expert on this topic or anything, but pot smoking can make you paranoid. It also forces you to slow down. So this study which shows a 9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities associated with local medical marijuana laws isn’t all that surprising…
Laboratory studies have shown that cannabis use impairs driving-related functions such as distance perception, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination. However, neither simulator nor driving-course studies provide consistent evidence that these impairments to driving-related functions lead to an increased risk of collision. Drivers under the influence of marijuana reduce their velocity, avoid risky maneuvers, and increase their “following distances,” suggesting compensatory behavior. In addition, there appears to be an important learning-by-doing component to driving under the influence of marijuana: experienced users show substantially less functional impairment than infrequent users.
Like marijuana, alcohol impairs driving-related functions such as reaction time and hand-eye coordination. Moreover, there is unequivocal evidence from simulator and driving-course studies that alcohol consumption leads to an increased risk of collision. Even at low doses, drivers under the influence of alcohol tend to underestimate the degree to which they are impaired, drive at faster speeds, and take more risks.
* Why does this happen? The researchers’ conclusions…
Alcohol consumption appears to play a key role. The legalization of medical marijuana is associated with a 6.4 percent decrease in fatal crashes that did not involve alcohol, but this estimate is not statistically significant at conventional levels. In comparison, the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with an almost 12 percent decrease in any-BAC fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers, and an almost 14 percent decrease in high-BAC fatal crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
The negative relationship between legalization of medical marijuana and traffic fatalities involving alcohol is consistent with the hypothesis that marijuana and alcohol are substitutes. In order to explore this hypothesis further, we examine the relationship between medical marijuana laws and alcohol consumption using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and The Brewer’s Almanac. We find that the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with decreased alcohol consumption, especially by 20- through 29-year-olds. In addition, we find that legalization is associated with decreased beer sales, the most popular alcoholic beverage among young adults (Jones 2008).
* This is not a new concept…
In their book Marijuana Is Safer… Steve Fox, Mason Tvert, and Paul Armentano cite marijuana’s relatively minor impact on driving ability as a public safety advantage. To the extent that legalizing pot encourages people to shift from alcohol to marijuana, it could actually produce a net decrease in traffic deaths, contrary to the nightmare scenarios painted by prohibitionists.
* And a long-ago federal study found that marijuana smokers aren’t a major danger…
(A) 1993 trial funded by the United States National Highway Traffic Association (NTHSA) evaluated subjects’ driving performance after cannabis inhalation in high-density urban traffic. Investigators reported, “Marijuana … did not significantly change mean driving performance. […]
A more recent assessment by Blows and colleagues noted that self-reported recent use of cannabis (within three hours of driving) was not significantly associated with car crash injury after investigators controlled for specific cofounders (e.g., seat-belt use, sleepiness, etc.). A 2004 observational case control study published in the journal Accident, Analysis and Prevention reported that only drivers under the influence of alcohol or benzodiazepines experience an increased crash risk compared to drug-free controls. Investigators did observe increased risks – though they were not statistically significant – among drivers using amphetamines, cocaine and opiates, but found, “No increased risk for road trauma was found for drivers exposed to cannabis. […]
A 2007 case-control study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health reviewed 10-years of US auto-fatality data. Investigators found that US drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.05% – a level well below the legal limit for intoxication – were three times as likely to have engaged in unsafe driving activities prior to a fatal crash as compared to individuals who tested positive for marijuana.
* Switching people from booze to pot has other benefits…
“According to government statistics,” they write, “more than 40 percent of murderers in jail or state prison report that they had been drinking at the time of their offenses, and nearly one-half of those convicted of assault and sentenced to probation had been drinking when the offenses occurred. Further, among those who have suffered an assault at the hands of an intimate partner, about two out of three say that alcohol played a role in the violent behavior.”
* Also from the study…
Although opponents of legalization argue that it encourages recreational use among teenagers (Brady et al. 2011; O’Keefe and Earleywine 2011), we find no evidence that the use of marijuana by minors increased.
Discuss.
- Anon - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 1:37 pm:
It makes a lot of sense, and it’s not a reason to start driving around under the influence of marijuana, but is definitely a reason for legalization.
Like you said, marijuana can spur paranoia. When someone drives while high, especially when they have the substance on them, they will be far more cautious and pay close attention to driving.
While marijuana can make people think “whoa I’m a little high, I need to be super careful!”, alcohol has the opposite effect. It causes recklessness, overconfidence and aggression.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 1:46 pm:
A slow paranoid driver on the streets is an intersting idea, simply because that its measurable for fatalitites. I wonder, if really pressed with the reality of major acceptence of medical pot in mainstream america, this could be seen even on a broader scale.
On a side note…you know … slowing down is good … real slow … like “when a hand seems to make a light wave” slow … I think typing can be slow too … whne each letter fades onto the screen … just hitting a letter and it fades in … Or when a post seemed to be put up here quickly, … and then you look at the time its posted and its like 30 minutes …then you get the munchies.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 1:50 pm:
I guess the mayor will have to choose, speeding camera revenues or pot revenues, apparently you can’t have both.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 1:50 pm:
I’m not an expert or anything either, but I think these studies confirm what I’ve long believed. Pot is much safer than alcohol, both for the user and those he/she comes in contact with. Thanks for posting this.
Now, I’ll step back and let the reactionaries work themselves into a lather.
- OneMan - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 1:55 pm:
Reminds me of a joke I told when the hemp tour was on campus year ago…
Did you hear about the hemp powered car…
It only goes 20 miles an hour but after 30 minutes you don’t care…
- Lefty - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 2:09 pm:
How about neither and just staying sober?
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 2:16 pm:
I heard a cop tell a story about how he pulled a guy over on the Ike who may have been under the influence of a herbal recreational smoldering element. He asked the guy if he knew why he was pulled over, and the guy said speeding. He was clocked at 7MPH.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 2:25 pm:
Ive said it before and Ill say it again: proponents would be far better off pushing for full legalization than medical marijuana. Opponents always make the camel’s nose argument anyway, and pushing full legalization expands your base and strengthens your messages.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 2:29 pm:
I’ll go with YDD.
It will have to be Libertarian Republicans to push it, though. Dems aren’t going to hand Rush and gang this club to beat them with.
If Mexico totally blows up and becomes a narco-state, if it isn’t already, legalization might be a national security issue.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 2:59 pm:
That’s just what I need - to meet up with folks driving 20 mpg below the speed limit. Change the laws and I’ll never get home from work. Sheesh.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:23 pm:
The more I read about pot on the internet, the more I am amazed at all the wonderful things it can do.
Serious question…are there any downsides to smoking pot? Or is it just all good?
- Huh? - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:27 pm:
I recall when “researchers” told us smoking wasn’t harmful. My parents talk about the “old” days when police and law enforcement took a different view of driving “after a few drinks”
I agree with lefty, how about don’t drive under the influence and follow your physician’s advice if you take prescriptions.
That way we will all be safe. The person killed never gets a second chance to avoid you.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:30 pm:
===I recall when “researchers” told us smoking wasn’t harmful.===
Yeah. Paid for by tobacco companies. There’s a difference here. Try to see it.
- Huh? - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:38 pm:
=====Yeah. Paid for by tobacco companies. There’s a difference here. Try to see it. ====
Your website, be as smarmy as you want.
As a researcher I am well aware that the article you posted is on research that is likely not replicated. Science takes time, media works fast, governemnt policy is often based on sensational media portrayals like this. See the research on autism and the gluten fad.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:42 pm:
What I’m saying is, using research sponsored by tobacco companies to denigrate other research is bogus logic.
- Gilkey - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:42 pm:
== See the research on autism and the gluten fad. ==
Autism is a fad? Huh????
- Huh? - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
Autism fraud perpetrated by Andrew Wakefield. Now many parents are concerned about immunizations.
There is gluten hysteria, which began when people thought celiac disease was linked to the onset of autims. It was also based on bad research. Now you have a glut of gluetn free products. That is the fad I was referring to.
No, I am not trying to discredit research by referencing bogus research. I am trying to imply that research is very, very slow. It takes years to prove anything. See global warming research for an example of this.
So my point is, give this time. Drive sober, follow directions. Don’t get media hysteria.
- Farker - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:56 pm:
@ anon 3:23
Nah bro its all groovy man
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 3:58 pm:
- Drive sober, follow directions. -
No one is advocating driving under the influence of anything. Some folks are going to do it, all this study is saying is that when more people are using pot instead of alcohol the end result may be less severe accidents.
- Lester Holt's Mustache - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 4:06 pm:
I for one much prefer the red-eyed teenagers driving 20 in a 45 mph zome than the red-eyed twenty somethings swerving through lanes and driving 55 in a 30.
- Lester Holt's Mustache - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 4:07 pm:
*45 mph zone* sorry
- amalia - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 6:07 pm:
legalize it already. and hemp too. think of the positive impact on the snack industry if marijuana were made legal.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 8:04 pm:
Legalize it and further tax it, since it is technically taxed now (enacted in 1988) at $5 a gram for a tax stamp that drug dealers are supposed to buy . More tax revenue for Illinois. And it should help revive the tobacco company profits; they’ve already trademarked most of the obvious brand names.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 9:54 pm:
It’s late in the evening for commentary, I realize, but I want to add that I thought that Chicago was looking at decriminalizing cannabis for small possession (10 grams or less?). I thought something would come of this in the City Council, but nothing yet. I heard that Emanuel was looking at this carefully before he supported it.
I have a hard time with the criminality of misdemeanor possession, because cannabis use is so rampant, and the laws apparently are poor deterrents, among other reasons.
- Kevin Highland - Thursday, Dec 1, 11 @ 10:51 pm:
I believe the Cannabis & Controlled Substances Tax was found unconstitutional as it required a person to incriminate themselves to pay the tax.
Also having had a misspent youth, I would rather see some pothead behind the wheel of a car than someone under the influence of alcohol.
- JBilla - Friday, Dec 2, 11 @ 1:07 am:
“Like”
- illinoismedcannmike - Monday, Dec 5, 11 @ 8:26 am:
THANK YOU RICH, patients across the state have unprecedented SUPPORT across the board because EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE that could benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis!! thanks again Rich!!!!