How does cannabis impact driving among older, long-term users?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-01-19 03:00

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Cannabis can impact driving ability among older, long-term users of the drug, according to a small Canadian study. The researchers recruited 31 participants aged 65-79 years old, who had smoked cannabis for an average of 40 years, and monitored their driving on a driving simulator before, 30 minutes after, and 180 minutes after smoking their preferred cannabis product. The researchers looked for signs of impaired driving - weaving, speed changes and reaction time - and say the participants were more likely to weave and drive slower 30 minutes after smoking, but not 180 minutes. Despite this, the researchers say the participants rated their own ability to drive as impaired 180 minutes after smoking.

News release

From: JAMA

Cannabis and Driving in Older Adults

About The Study: The findings of this study that included 31 participants ages 65 to 79 suggest that older drivers, even if they regularly use cannabis, show evidence of impaired driving performance after smoking cannabis. Weaving was increased and speed was decreased at 30 minutes after smoking, which was not correlated with blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations; subjective experience and self-reports of impaired driving persisted for three hours.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada

Funder: This study was funded by the Transport Canada Enhanced Road Safety Transfer Payment Program.

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