As more states legalize cannabis, researchers are racing to understand what that shift means for road safety. While laws have changed significantly, scientific evidence on how cannabis influences behavior behind the wheel has lagged. A new study led by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute seeks to close that gap by tracking drivers in their everyday routines.
Over two years, from 2021 through 2023, the research team tracked 105,000 miles driven by adults aged 21 to 70. The trips, 14,700 in total, were recorded using a naturalistic driving approach developed at the institute. About 9,000 miles were logged for marijuana consumption, 1,000 miles reflected alcohol use, while 400 miles included more than one substance use. The remaining trips were substance-free and served as a comparison point for each driver.
According to lead author Kaitlyn Bedwell, the study design allowed researchers to follow individuals over time rather than rely on snapshots. Many earlier studies observed drivers only once or in controlled environments. By contrast, the study tracked how behavior changed across months and years. Bedwell noted that cannabis affects people differently, so observing each participant repeatedly helped capture those differences.
In addition to vehicle data, participants submitted more than 10,000 journal entries describing their substance use. Oral fluid samples were collected regularly to verify those reports.
Preliminary analysis revealed patterns in when and how people drove after using cannabis. Trips linked to cannabis were more common around midday and during evening hours, with Fridays standing out as the most frequent day. Some drivers appeared to adjust their habits, often selecting rural roads instead of busier routes when they had used substances.
Currently, 40 states allow cannabis in some form. While driving while under the influence remains illegal nationwide, measuring marijuana impairment presents challenges. Unlike alcohol, which can be reliably assessed through blood alcohol concentration, there is no roadside tool that can determine whether a driver is under the influence of cannabis.
The primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, behaves differently from alcohol in the body. It dissolves in fat and can remain detectable for weeks after use, long after any intoxicating effects have worn off. Individual factors such as metabolism, body composition, and frequency of use further complicate interpretation. Potency also varies widely across products.
These variables make it difficult to link cannabis levels to crash risk or to craft clear policy guidelines. Bedwell noted that inconsistent findings in past research have added to the uncertainty. She argued that lawmakers need stronger evidence rooted in real-world conditions.
The marijuana ecosystem, including businesses like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY), hopes that studies of this nature will eventually yield accurate ways to ascertain whether a given driver is or isn’t impaired after using cannabis and getting behind the wheel.
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