Driving-related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions among Australian medical cannabis users: results from the CAMS 20 survey

Abstract

Road safety is an important concern amidst expanding worldwide access to legal cannabis. The present study reports on the driving-related subsection of the Cannabis as Medicine Survey 2020 (CAMS-20) which surveyed driving-related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions among Australian medical cannabis (MC) users. Of the 1063 respondents who reported driving a motor vehicle in the past 12 months, 28% (297/1063) reported driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). Overall, 49–56% of respondents said they typically drive within 6 h of MC use, depending on the route of administration (oral or inhaled). Non-medical cannabis (NMC) was perceived to be more impairing for driving than MC. Binary logistic regression revealed associations between likelihood of DUIC and (1) inhaled routes of cannabis administration, (2) THC-dominant products, (3) illicit rather than prescribed use, (4) believing NMC does not impair driving, and (5) not being deterred by roadside drug testing. Overall, these findings suggest there is a relatively low perception of driving-related risk among MC users. Targeted education programs may be needed to highlight the potential risks associated with DUIC, and further research is needed to determine whether driving performance is differentially affected by MC and NMC.

Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis of Alcohol and Licit/Illicit Drugs on Post-Mortem Biological Samples from Road Traffic Deaths

“…Our results are in agreement with the results provided by other national [19] and international studies [49,50]. In this regard, it is well known that these drugs can increase the risk of road crashes from one-to threefold [53][54][55]. Cocaine induces driving impairment by causing tremors, fatigue, and poor concentration [56].…”

How research and policy can shape driving under the influence of cannabis

“…Despite the unequivocal evidence that cannabis acutely impairs driving-related skills and increases risk, public attitudes toward DUIC are highly permissive in the United States and in Australia, particularly among medical cannabis users [7]. DUIC is perceived as safe, normative and associated with fewer consequences than alcohol-impaired driving [8].…”