Marijuana decriminalization, or legalization of it for medicinal or recreational purposes, has occurred in a number of states, and many more states are looking at the issue. What impact will the potential increased use of marijuana have on traffic safety? There are some preliminary studies available, but the evidence is still coming in. A complicating factor in determining impaired driving from marijuana use is the fact that tests for drug intoxication are not as definitive as they are for alcohol.
Listed below are some excellent sources of information for those who want to learn more about the topic.
- Background on: Marijuana and Impaired Driving (III)
This link takes you to III’s review of marijuana and its impact on impaired driving. - The Legalization of Marijuana and Its Impact on Traffic Safety and Impaired Driving (American Bar Association)
This is a link to a 2020 article in Criminal Justice magazine. - Driving while stoned leads to more traffic accidents (CNN Health)
This is a link to a 2023 article on the links between marijuana use and traffic accidents. - Alarm Bells Ring on Marijuana Legalization and Impaired Driving (III)
This is a link to a 2019 III press release about early accident data related to marijuana use. - Legal Pot: Crashes are up in states with retail sales (IIHS)
This link takes you to an IIHS Status Report showing increased crashes in states that have legalized marijuana compared with those which have not legalized it. - Drug Impaired Driving (NHTSA)
This link takes you to an NHTSA page on drug-impaired driving. - Marijuana Impaired Driving: A Report to Congress (NHTSA)
This link takes you to a 2017 report to Congress by NHTSA dealing with marijuana-impaired driving. - The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact (RMHIDTA)
This link takes you to a 2019 report from the Rocky Mountain HIDTA Strategic Intelligence Unit on the impact of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado.