Cannabis and driving: minimal risk of accidents

In a study by researchers of the University of Maryland the use of cannabis was not associated with the risk to cause a traffic accident. 6,581 drivers who were hospitalized at a shock trauma center in the years 1997 through 2001 form the basis of this analysis. Results on the presence of alcohol and illegal drugs obtained for patient care were linked to police crash reports.

Crash culpability was strongly associated with alcohol use. In contrast, this study did not find an association between crash culpability and cannabis use. Since only urine tests on cannabinoids were performed it is not known, whether drivers were actually under the influence of cannabis.

Same subject, similiar results: [Epidemiologic study from France->http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/fr/actualites/comm_dossier_presse/files/SAMsynth .pdf]

Sources: www.cannabis-med.org; Soderstrom CA, et al. Annu Proc Assoc Adv Automot Med 2005;49:315-30.