Does marijuana affect driving ability?

[Tom]

Q: There's a lot of information online about the effects of alcohol and driving, but not much about marijuana. Is there a certain amount of marijuana that can be smoked where it would have virtually no measurable effect on one's ability to drive? Is there a certain amount of time that could elapse between smoking marijuana and getting behind the wheel where one would not be impaired?

 

A: Research has shown that marijuana can have some effect on one's driving performance. More specifically, research has shown that people intoxicated with marijuana may show some sway when driving in a straight line. However, at the same time, research has shown that people high on marijuana are aware that their performance is affected and they are able to compensate for their difficulties. This is unlike individuals who are drunk and believe that their driving abilities are not affected. As a result, drunk drivers do not, and cannot, correct their judgment and impairment, and their state of intoxication greatly affects their driving, whereas those high on marijuana do show an ability to correct their impairment.

 

Researchers who have conducted these studies have also reported that the driving impairment related to marijuana is subtle and may not generally be seen in most driving situations. However, in an emergency situation, which places a high demand on performance, it is possible that the use of marijuana could lead to poorer judgment. I also cannot say how long a person should wait after smoking marijuana before driving because any effects would depend upon how much is smoked and its potency. Research, however, has shown that even when varying the dose of marijuana taken, any driving impairment can last up to two hours.

 

While I would never recommend driving under the influence of marijuana, the research that I have reviewed demonstrated that the driving impairment related to marijuana is less dangerous than if the person was drunk. However, it does cause some impairment, which could affect performance, particularly in an emergency situation.

 

Author:By Dr. Michael Levy

Date:Monday, April 25, 2005

Source:The Salem News

Copyright:Copyright 2005 Essex County Newspapers.

 

[fsagertyaef]

i dont know of any papers writen on it but im going to look but i have always enjoyed driving high i actually am better high then not acording to most people i have asked

[Shivan]

I will drive when stoned BUT i do know when i have had too much and should not get in the car my fieancee is different she will not drive when stoned, but she only has 1/4 of a cone and is ripped for hours where i some a bowl before iam happy normally