Since the legalization of recreational cannabis, there’s been a wave of fear-mongering about its impact on road safety. But is there really a link between legalization and a surge in traffic injuries? A systematic review published in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine suggests otherwise.
Despite what you might hear from government propaganda attempting to justify restrictions on your freedoms, the evidence linking cannabis legalization to increased traffic injuries is, at best, mixed.
The review examined seven studies from Canada and the United States, comparing traffic-injury-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations before and after cannabis legalization.
What did they find?
A mixed bag. Four studies reported increases in traffic injuries, while three found no significant change. Not exactly a slam dunk for the prohibitionists, is it?
It’s important to remember that correlation does not equal causation. Just because some studies showed an increase in positive cannabis tests following legalization doesn’t mean cannabis was the cause of the accident. These studies often fail to consider other factors, like the increasing number of cars on the road or the changing demographics of drivers.
Furthermore, the review highlights the difficulty of measuring impairment from cannabis. Unlike alcohol, there’s no agreed-upon legal benchmark for cannabis impairment. This makes it challenging to attribute accidents directly to its use. The consequence of this is that it is all too easy for overzealous lawmakers to criminalize responsible cannabis users or medical cannabis users based on nothing more than flimsy evidence.
Ultimately, the relationship between cannabis legalization and traffic injuries is complex and nuanced. More robust research is needed to draw definitive conclusions. In the meantime, don’t let the fear-mongering scare you.
Contact our team of experienced DUI lawyers today for expert advice and representation. We’ll fight to protect your rights and work to ensure you receive fair treatment under the law.
