Study Indicates Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis Significantly Less Dangerous Than Driving Drunk

TIME magazine recently reported findings that suggest alcohol impairs driving differently than cannabis. The Institute on Drug
Abuse performed a study in a driving simulator comparing the influence of
alcohol compared to the influence of cannabis. The numbers don’t add up.

The study set the level of impairment at the .08 alcohol
limit imposed by most states. Colorado and Washington allow a small amount of
THC in the bloodstream while driving without any infraction. 18 participants
were studied using 250 parameters of driving ability. Drivers used a 1996
Malibu sedan and drove for 45-minute sessions. The legal limit of THC in the
bloodstream (in recreationally legal states) impaired drivers less than half as
much as the legal alcohol limit. Eliza Gray of TIME reports “Drivers with blood concentrations of 13.1 ug/L THC,
the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, showed increase weaving that was
similar to those with a .08 breath alcohol concentration, the legal limit in
most states. For reference, 13.1 ug/L THC is more than twice the 5 ug/L numeric
limit in Washington and Colorado.” Driving at the 5ug/L limit of cannabis
showed no significant impairment.

Not surprisingly, cannabis and alcohol combined
significantly impaired driving ability. Dr. Marilyn Huestis, the principal
investigator in the study said, “We know cannabis is primarily found with a low
dose of alcohol. . .Many young people have a couple beers and then cannabis.” A
DWI first offense in
Colorado could mean 12 points added to your record, 30 day driving suspension,
and up to $1,000 fine. In Washington a DWI can result in a 60-day
suspension and a fine up to $5,000.

What this means is that a driving under the alcohol limit
could potentially cause more danger on the road than a driver driving over
the THC limit. Based on these facts, should Colorado and Washington raise the
legal driving limit to 13.1ug/L of THC to equate the alcohol limit?