More bad news for the “weed never killed anyone” crowd (and everyone else, too): A new study using data from Ohio finds that over 40% of drivers who died in car crashes had tested positive for THC in their system. For some crucial context on this issue, you should read this new op-ed from our CEO Kevin Sabet on why weed-impaired driving is the new drunk driving.
The study looked at years of data from Montgomery County in Ohio and its findings line up precisely with national and other state-level data. Weed + driving = deadly results. Look at the 2022 study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that more than 25% of all those killed or seriously injured in road accidents who tested positive for any drug tested positive for marijuana—a higher rate than that found for alcohol, at 23%. A new study, out in September from researchers at the London School of Economics, the legalization of recreational marijuana increased traffic fatalities by 75% in Alaska, 18% in California, 16% in Oregon, and 15% in Colorado. Indeed, if marijuana were legalized nationwide, analysis from Harvard and New York Medical College researchers shows, the U.S. would suffer an additional 6,800 fatal crashes per year.
Worse, the Ohio data show insanely high levels of THC: 30.7 ng/ml. (Impairment thresholds fall around 2-5 ng/ml.) That’s consistent with recent use. It was a clearly a non-factor in their decision to get behind the wheel. Proving there’s no real taboo against driving while stoned. And that’s thanks to the efforts of Big Marijuana and their endless, slick big-money campaigns to legalize and normalize this dangerous drug. America needs an awareness and prevention campaign like the one launched by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). That’s why In 2020, per SAMHSA data, around 12.6 million people ages 16 and up drove after using drugs; the vast majority—almost 12 million—were under the influence of marijuana.
As long as people think it’s OK to use marijuana and drive, these tragic numbers are only going to get worse.