CAA Manitoba Winter 2016 | Page 25

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Marijuana and Driving a look at how legalizing marijuana impacts road safety

Canada is on the Cusp of some significant changes as the Canadian government follows through on its commitment to legalize marijuana for recreational use . Manitoba already has one federally licensed producer , and more will likely follow when new federal legislation on the drug is introduced in spring 2017 .
Legalizing marijuana is a complicated issue on several fronts , many of which are connected to driving . As Canada moves closer to legalization , a recent study by the American Automobile Association ( AAA ) offers a timely reminder that with the impending changes to cannabis laws , attention to road safety issues is vital .
To date , five American jurisdictions have legalized recreational and medical marijuana use , while another 20 states have legalized it for medical use and 20 more are considering doing so in the near future . Washington went legal in December 2012 , and research conducted in the state between 2010 and 2014 found that the percentage of
By RoBin sChRoffel
drivers involved in fatal crashes who had recently used marijuana more than doubled between 2013 and 2014 ( rising from eight to 17 percent ). In other words , one in six drivers involved in a fatal crash had marijuana in their bloodstream at the time .
Closer to home , a 2015 report by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse shows that among young drivers , it ’ s more common to drive after cannabis use than after drinking ; that marijuana use impairs cognitive and motor abilities necessary for driving and doubles the risk of crash involvement ; and that after alcohol , marijuana is the most commonly detected substance among drivers who die in crashes .
It ’ s important to note that a growing body of evidence suggests marijuana impairment isn ’ t as straightforward as alcohol intoxication : The level of
Studies show that marijuana use impairs the cognitive and motor abilities necessary for driving and doubles the risk of crash involvement
tetrahydrocannabinol — a . k . a . THC , the main psychoactive component in marijuana — in the bloodstream that results in intoxication is not yet known . And the drug affects individuals differently : One person with a high amount of THC in their system may not be impaired , while another with low levels may be unable to safely operate a vehicle .
Exactly how marijuana use affects drivers is also not completely understood . As such , intoxication limits like those for alcohol have not yet been clearly identified . More research needs to be done to gain a thorough understanding of the effects of marijuana use on drivers — but also how to reliably detect impairment and develop consistent and fair guidelines to ensure road safety across the country .
In Canada , new technologies are being examined . The RCMP is considering roadside saliva screening devices , like those used in Europe and Australia , to detect the presence of THC . And some provincial law enforcement agencies are taking steps to ensure officers are able to recognize impairment through behaviour , with some personnel undergoing additional drug-recognition training .
CAA strongly advocates for more such research and testing . We are currently conducting our own study , and we ’ ll use the results to better understand issues surrounding marijuana legalization and road safety . This study will provide a launching point for collaboration with the federal government to ensure that road safety is kept at the forefront of the legalization issue .
Public education will play a key role in raising awareness about issues connected to driving and marijuana , just as it does in drinking and driving . CAA recognizes the importance of these impending changes in Canadian law , and will be here to make sure road safety doesn ’ t take a back seat .
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