The Science Behind Medical Cannabis Use And Driving Safety
Medical cannabis use and driving safety are two of the most pressing issues as cannabis legalization expands.
This is because of the growing use of medical cannabis for various conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and PTSD, among other qualifying conditions.
Cannabis use is generally believed to cause impairment and is one of the major causes of citations in DUI incidences.
However, there are different types of cannabis products causing varied effects based on consumption behavior; either by recreational or medical use.
These two consumption behavior models offer relief but differ in the intensity of mind-body effects that can influence impairment when driving.
Recreational cannabis consumption is the culprit behind impaired driving due to the overconsumption of active ingredients that can cause intoxication.
Medical cannabis explores a different compound found in cannabis that brings relief without the known intoxicating effects of cannabis.
Moreover, controlled or medical cannabis use, under the guidance of a QMP, may limit cannabis’s influence on your motor and cognitive functions.
Notably, there’s evidence that shows medical cannabis, under proper medical supervision, may not impair driving abilities.
This blog examines scientific studies and regulatory frameworks to clarify misconceptions and provide a balanced perspective on the impact of cannabis use on driving safety.
What is Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis is any cannabis-infused product that’s prescribed to a patient by a qualified physician and for therapeutic uses.
Medical cannabis contains two major cannabis compounds, namely delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).
THC is the compound found in most cannabis products for recreational use as it produces a body and mind high, causing intoxication.
By recreational use, we mean unregulated use of cannabis to get “high” or even for medical purposes.
Without a prescription, you may end up taking high amounts, which can lead to impairment and serious litigation for driving under the influence.
CBD is an abundant cannabis compound in hemp plants known to be non-intoxicating and with numerous potential medical benefits.
The hemp plant is a cannabis variety with less than 0.3% THC content, hence used in most medical cannabis products.
CBD can be used for recreational purposes, hence the strict rules in most states where cannabis is legalized to have a doctor’s prescription.
For example, In the case of Utah, you may need a medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis legally.
Medical cannabis patients consume lower, more controlled doses aimed at symptom management rather than achieving a psychoactive high.
Common Myths and Counterarguments Involving Medical Cannabis and Driving Safety
To ensure we get the realities behind cannabis use and driving safety right, we need to get the arguments right against its use while driving:
– Medical Cannabis Impairment Myth
It’s believed cannabis use, even medical, leads significantly to impairment. This may be true of recreational cannabis due to its high doses and unregulated use.
On the contrary, medical cannabis patients use controlled, lower doses designed to alleviate symptoms without causing a high.
– Unpredictable Effects
The premise of the argument is that cannabis effects can differ based on the strain, THC and CBD content, and individual physiology. In part, cannabis affects people differently, and each strain provides a unique effect.
However, medical cannabis includes giving prescriptions, meaning that a patient is given precise dosages similar to mainstream medications.
The personalized approach helps minimize side effects such as intoxication. Moreover, once you schedule an appointment with a QMP, you will get the right strain and dosage for your needs.
– Differences between Medical and Recreational use
Most consider recreational and medical cannabis use to be similar in the impact of driving. However, these are two different scenarios.
Recreational use involves higher doses to get a psychoactive high, which can impair cognitive and motor functions.
The side effects of chronic cannabis use include sleepiness, anxiety, altered senses, and nausea.
Medical cannabis use involves small doses to help manage various symptoms. Moreover, it employs CBD, which is non-intoxicating even at high amounts.
Therefore, the fundamental difference between these two cannabis consumption approaches should be viewed through a different lens.
This is the big difference that supports the idea that medical cannabis doesn’t impair driving.
In a bid to support the theory, some Australian scientists carried out a small study on cannabis’s effects on driving ability. Let’s examine some of the insights from the studies.
Research on Cannabis Effect on Driving Ability
A landmark study was led by the Lambert Initiative for cannabinoid therapeutics at the University of Sydney to document the effects of medical cannabis on driving.
The study involved 26 participants given a dose of medical cannabis (with THC and CBD) and exposed to real-world driving conditions over a 100km stretch.
They drove on a public highway in a dual-control car with an instructor present.
The study revealed CBD, used widely for medical purposes, doesn’t impair driving.
On the other hand, moderate THC amounts, enough to cause intoxication, did cause impairment for 40 minutes but not for more than 4 hours after vaping.
Another study by Australia’s Technology Centre for Human Psychopharmacology enrolled 40 study participants taking prescribed medical cannabis products.
The participants’ driving abilities were assessed before and after taking their medication, and they were exposed to a driving simulator at 2.5-hour (pre-dosing) and 5-hour (post-dosing) intervals.
The researchers didn’t observe a notable impairment at the two intervals.
The 5-hour post-consumption assessment was of particular interest as it potentially demystified the belief that THC presence long after consumption causes impairment.
Both are small-scale studies calling for more research on the topic. However, they paint a vivid picture of what the reality may be of medical cannabis consumption’s impact on driving.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to remain vigilant and responsible after consuming cannabis and operating any machinery.
Cannabis affects people differently. A particular dose affects each patient differently, hence a call for caution.
Moreover, the legislation on driving under the influence hasn’t caught up with cannabis legalization efforts, a concern for most cannabis patients.
Factors Influencing Driving Safety with Medical Cannabis Use
Various factors can influence why you can or can’t use medical cannabis when driving.
Understanding these factors can ensure you can manage your conditions without compromising road safety.
– Dosage and Timing
Medical cannabis is often prescribed in precise dosages to manage specific conditions without causing significant psychoactive effects.
Unlike recreational uses, which involve high doses, medical patients use the minimum effective dose.
Moreover, according to research, timing is key in ensuring less impact of cannabis effects on your driving ability.
Avoid operating machinery during periods when the effects might peak, within an hour after consumption or less, depending on the method of consumption.
Wait about 4 -5 hours for high doses to wear off.
– Individual Tolerance
Tolerance is the body’s process of getting used to a cannabis dosage. It is common to find regular medical cannabis patients who develop a tolerance to its psychoactive effects.
This means they get less impairment than occasional users, hence a lower likelihood of their driving being affected.
– Method of Consumption
There are different methods of consuming cannabis, that is, vaping, smoking, or edibles.
Inhalation methods such as vaping and smoking have a quicker onset but also dissipate fast.
In contrast, edibles and tinctures have a delayed onset but longer-lasting effects.
In such cases of doubt, book an appointment with a QMP to help you find a consumption method that meets your needs and preferences.
A QMP can help you find a dose and product that suits your lifestyle and driving needs to minimize the risk of impairment.
– Legal and Regulatory Framework
The laws in the state of Utah are stacked against you when driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana.
The law prescribes that you can access medical marijuana only if you have a Utah medical cannabis card.
However, the card doesn’t make it legal for you to drive under the influence.
When it comes to substance use and driving, you may receive one of these charges: DWI or DUI.
DWI means Driving While Intoxicated, which shows one’s impairment at the time of the drunk driving test.
In contrast, DUI doesn’t mean proving impairment but the presence of a substance or metabolite in your body.
Medical cannabis users may fall victim to the latter as THC metabolites can be found in the body up to a month later.
Hence, you may be found guilty even if you’ve not used cannabis in weeks.
That said, legislation in many regions where medical cannabis is legalized has observed patients being acquitted of DUI charges.
Utah is yet to witness such reports due to its “zero-tolerance” on cannabis use in driving, but the tides may shift soon.
What’s important is to ensure you own a medical marijuana card, which can protect you from litigation against possession of medical cannabis.
The card also helps you explore the potential benefits of cannabis for various conditions.
Get Your Medical Cannabis Card in Utah with Green Team Doctors
You need a QMP(qualified medical physician) to get a medical card in Utah. The MMJ card allows you to access and possess medical cannabis in the state legally.
To receive a medical marijuana prescription, you must have a qualifying condition and follow the requirements prescribed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
Get started by scheduling an appointment with Green Team Doctors, Qualified Medical Physicians. We are a team of compassionate physicians giving access to medical cannabis to patients seeking a natural remedy.
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