Driving Under the Influence of Medical Cannabis: How Common Is It?

Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) has been shown to be associated with increased risk of motor vehicle crashes in some studies, while others have shown no association. Little is known about the prevalence of driving under the influence of medical cannabis. The authors of this study sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of DUIC among 790 adults with chronic pain seeking medical cannabis certification or re-certification. The mean age was 46 years; 52% were male, and 81% were white.

• Overall, 56% reported driving within 2 hours of cannabis use, 53% reported DUIC while “a little high,” and 22% reported DUIC while “very high.”
• Greater quantity of cannabis consumed and heavy episodic drinking were associated with driving within 2 hours of use, while a little high, and while very high.

Comments: Patients with chronic pain certified for medical cannabis use were 5–10 times more likely than the general population age 16 and over to report DUIC. Although these data are limited by retrospective self-report and lack of validated survey methodology, they do suggest the need for more research to understand personal and public health implications of driving risk among patients with medical cannabis certification.

Jeanette M. Tetrault, MD

Reference: Bonar EE, Cranford JA, Arterberry BJ, et al. Driving under the influence of cannabis among medical cannabis patients with chronic pain. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019;195:193–197.