There are about 80,000 patients in Australia who are taking medical cannabis for chronic pain, anxiety, and various other conditions with the support of their physician and under a completely legal Special Access Scheme managed by the TGA. With medical cannabis and driving being connected, the State Governments of Australia make it illegal to drive with any amount of THC in your system. According to studies, THC if you take it regularly can stay in your system for at least 2-3 days.
This means that there are likely 60,000 people every day hitting the roads and driving who would have THC in their system. However, likely 98% of these people are not impaired or affected when driving. This is the most important thing.
What is THC?
THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. It causes a “high” sensation when you smoke marijuana or consume edibles. THC is commonly found in three forms: herbs or flowers, hash/hashish, and hash oil. The most popular is the herbal form, made from dried cannabis leaves and buds, which you can smoke or add to foods and drinks.
Crash Risks of Cannabis-positive Drivers
Epidemiological studies aim to quantify the impact of substances on road safety by estimating the relative crash risk. This is expressed as an odds ratio, describing the likelihood of a driver testing positive for a drug or alcohol being involved in a crash compared to a sober driver.
Recent and authoritative meta-analyses indicate that cannabis-positive drivers are approximately 1.1–1.4 times more likely to be involved in a crash than sober drivers and are also more likely to be culpable for a crash. However, some major recent studies have found no increase in crash or culpability risk, particularly when drivers had low blood THC concentrations (<5 ng/mL). Overall, the increase in crash risk associated with THC is similar to that associated with a low-range blood alcohol concentration (BAC; 0.01–0.05 g/L).
Some analyses suggest that crash risk and culpability may be greater with higher blood THC concentrations. Table 1 shows relative crash risk and culpability estimates for cannabis, alcohol, and other drug classes.
How does THC Impact Your Driving Ability?
There are many potential health benefits of THC, including its ability to make people active or induce giggly and chatty behavior. However, driving under the influence of any substance is dangerous. THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, affects brain areas controlling movement, balance, coordination, memory, and judgment.
It can impair coordination, distort perception, cause memory loss, and make problem-solving difficult. If you take medicinal cannabis and you are driving, THC can slow reaction times and impair decision-making abilities.
A recent study by McGregor, Arkell et. al (2021) talked through multiple points from their study around THC and impairment. Here is the summary:
- Meta-analyses confirm that high levels of immediate THC administration impair aspects of driving performance.
- Meta-regression analyses suggest regular cannabis users experience less THC-induced impairment than occasional users.
- Other factors also influence the degree of impairment observed (e.g. dose, post-treatment time interval, type of skill).
- Driving-related skills typically recover within approximately 5 hours (and nearly all within 7 hours) after inhaling 20 mg of THC.
- Oral THC-induced impairment may take longer to subside.
In summary, if you are looking to drive after taking your medication:
- Do not drive while impaired
- Do not drive within 6-8 hours of inhaling cannabis, and consider adding another 2-3 hours if cannabis has been ingested.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the laws need to change so that existing and future patients can live without fear of losing their licenses. If you want to make a difference donate or sign the petition to Drive Change (link here). Drive Change is pushing for changes to the law and lobbying Governments. Or you could lobby your local state member to change the laws.
The Greens Party is pushing this in most states but other parties are not. Sometimes governments don’t catch up to the changes they created to help people. We just need more studies and likely more technology like we do with alcohol and other drugs.
Understanding the connection between THC and driving emphasizes the importance of assessing its impact on road safety and implementing effective measures to manage and mitigate the risks of impaired driving.
FAQs
What are the health benefits of THC?
THC offers several health benefits, particularly in managing various medical conditions. For individuals undergoing chemotherapy, THC can help alleviate side effects such as nausea and vomiting, enhancing overall comfort and well-being. THC reduces muscle stiffness and spasms, improving mobility and quality of life in managing multiple sclerosis spasticity. It also plays a significant role in addressing chronic pain and providing relief for patients with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. Additionally, THC can improve sleep quality by helping individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, which is beneficial for those with insomnia or sleep disorders.
Is weed good for you?
Cannabis or weed is good for you as it offers potential health benefits across various conditions: pain relief (arthritis, fibromyalgia), improved sleep (insomnia), mental health support (anxiety, depression), epilepsy (seizures), nausea relief (chemotherapy), and management of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and Tourette syndrome. Discussing its usage with a healthcare provider ensures safe and effective treatment.
Is there a relationship between medicinal cannabis and driving?
Yes, there is a relationship between medicinal cannabis and driving. Medicinal cannabis often contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a compound that can impair cognitive and motor skills necessary for safe driving. THC can affect attention, judgment, memory, vision, and coordination, making it unsafe to drive after consuming medicinal cannabis. It is illegal to drive under the influence of THC, as it poses a significant risk to both the driver and others on the road.
How long should I wait to drive after taking cannabis?
You should wait at least six hours after smoking marijuana containing less than 35 milligrams (mg) of THC before driving, biking, or performing other safety-sensitive activities. If you’ve smoked more than 35 mg, you need to wait longer. Additionally, wait at least eight hours after eating or drinking marijuana containing less than 18 mg of THC before engaging in these activities. This ensures that the THC’s effects have diminished, reducing the risk of impaired driving and enhancing safety. It’s important to understand the relationship between THC and driving to ensure everyone’s safety on the road.