Last week, the American College of Surgeons published a study reviewing the deaths of 246 deceased drivers in a major Ohio county revealing that 103 of them (41.9%) tested positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis. The average level of THC in their blood was 30.7 ng/mL, which far exceeds most impairment levels in states where cannabis has been legalized.

“The problem is that from a public health standpoint, there has not been enough emphasis on some of the downsides and the dangers that can occur. People should treat smoking marijuana just like they treat alcohol: don’t smoke and drive.” ~ Akpofure P. Ekeh, MBBS, FACS, lead author of the study and a professor of surgery at Wright State University.

The Dangers of Marijuana

Contrary to many claims, this report further reveals the dangers that come with consuming cannabis and THC.  In addition, a 2022 report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that cannabis and alcohol are the two most commonly detected drugs among drivers arrested for impaired driving and fatally injured drivers.

Some of the more common short-term effects of THC include:

• Altered sense of time and space
• Issues with thinking and problem-solving
• Impaired memory
• Disorientation and confusion
• Relaxation and/or sleepiness (sedation)
• Dizziness
• Issues with coordination
• Slowed reaction time

With high doses, some possible effects include:

• Hallucinations (false perception of objects or events involving the senses)
• Delusions (unshakable belief in something untrue)
• Psychosis (trouble telling the difference between what’s real and what’s not. The risk of psychosis is highest among regular users of high-potency marijuana.)

It makes sense, then, that these conditions pose a danger both to the individual and the other people on the road with them.

“THC slows reaction time, clouds judgment and dulls coordination — and those few seconds of delay can be the difference between a near-miss and a fatal crash,” says Dr. Laura Markley, medical director of addiction services at Akron Children’s in Ohio.

Public Policy Impact

The dangers of driving under the impairment of THC are undeniable. What is challenging, however, is measuring levels of impairment. Currently, the standard protocol for measuring THC levels is by testing blood, urine, or oral fluid. However, in 2021, the National Institute of Justice found that these tests, “were not reliable indicators of marijuana intoxication.”

With the current difficulty of accurately assessing someone’s level of intoxication, it is virtually impossible to regulate impairment levels and prosecute those who drive with illegal levels of THC in them. This poses a significant threat to safety as the push to legalize recreational marijuana consumption continues. With this information in mind, NC Family continues to stand firmly for families against the proliferation of marijuana in any form. Our team will continue to work at the North Carolina General Assembly to ensure that you and your family are safe from the potential harms of cannabis consumption.