According to a research scientist, there is a risk of driving while under the influence of marijuana.
Eduardo Romano, PhD, who is a senior research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation told Healthline, “Alcohol is still the main contributor to [vehicle crash] risk. It doesn’t mean that marijuana or cannabis don’t contribute. To me, it’s very clear that if you are stoned, you are at risk. You shouldn’t drive at all.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the percent of drivers in the U.S. who had tested positive for THC went up to 12.6% from 8.6% between the years of 2007 and 2014. THC is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
Another report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that there was an increase in Washington after the state made marijuana legal for recreational use in 2014. Daytime drivers who tested positive for cannabis during the daytime went from 7.8% to 18.9% in a year.
Not too long ago the Highway Loss Data Institute also conducted a study that revealed that in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, vehicle accidents were 3% higher than the states who do not have marijuana legalized. The study did not conclude whether the drivers being high had directly caused the increase.
