COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – More than 40% of drivers who died in motor vehicle accidents between 2019 and 2024 had active THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, in their blood, according to new research presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress
The study’s lead author, Dr. Akpofure P. Ekeh says that the high average blood levels indicate recent consumption, not residual use from days or weeks earlier.
A 2023 AAA survey found that while 94% of people believe drunk driving is dangerous, only 70% believe it is unsafe to drive within an hour of consuming cannabis.
Unlike the standard breathalyzer test for alcohol, there is no reliable roadside test to determine marijuana impairment, making enforcement challenging. Experts and researchers are calling for stronger public awareness campaigns to address the growing issue of cannabis-impaired driving.
Authorities hope to foster a new cultural norm that views driving high with the same seriousness as drunk driving.
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