Marijuana consumption significantly impairs driving ability
Substantial scientific evidence from meta-analyses, simulator trials, and epidemiological studies indicates that acute marijuana consumption impairs driving performance and increases motor vehicle collision risk, although some recent emergency department studies report mixed findings.
The vast majority of retrieved high-quality studies, including multiple meta-analyses (e.g., [0], [5], [6]) and reviews ([10], [11]), demonstrate that acute cannabis use significantly impairs driving performance (such as lateral control and cognitive processing) and increases motor vehicle crash risk, usually by a low-to-moderate magnitude. While a minority study ([8]) questions the direct link in certain emergency room populations, the overwhelming consensus of the literature supports the claim.
Ole Rogeberg, Rune Elvik. The effects of cannabis intoxication on motor vehicle collision revisited and revised. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13347
This meta-analysis found that acute cannabis intoxication is associated with a statistically significant increase in motor vehicle crash risk.
Esther K Choo, Stacy A Trent, Daniel K Nishijima, Angela Eichelberger, Steve Kazmierczak, Yu Ye, Karen J Brasel, Ariane Audett, Cheryl J Cherpitel. Risk of motor vehicle collision associated with cannabis and alcohol use among patients presenting for emergency care.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2024.107459
This emergency department study found that cannabis alone was not associated with higher odds of motor vehicle collisions, presenting conflicting results compared to broader epidemiological work.
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Sparsh Jain, Paolo Terranova, Kaitlyn Bedwell, Miguel Perez. Real-World Driving Behavior, Performance, and Risk Following Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Habitual Cannabis Users. 2026. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6519520
Naturalistic driving data indicated that cannabis-positive trips demonstrated behavioral differences and potential lane-tracking difficulties.
Sarah M Simmons, Jeff K Caird, Frances Sterzer, Mark Asbridge. The effects of cannabis and alcohol on driving performance and driver behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15770
This systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that cannabis impairs driving performance, particularly affecting lateral control.
Danielle McCartney, Thomas R Arkell, Christopher Irwin, Iain S McGregor. Determining the magnitude and duration of acute Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-induced driving and cognitive impairment: A systematic and meta-analytic review.. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.003
This review established that acute THC intoxication causes measurable impairments in driving performance and driving-related cognitive skills.
Isabelle Richer, Jacques Bergeron. Driving under the influence of cannabis: links with dangerous driving, psychological predictors, and accident involvement.. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2008.12.004
The study found that acute cannabis intoxication diminishes driving faculties and is associated with an elevated risk of collision.
Kim Wolff, Atholl Johnston. Cannabis use: a perspective in relation to the proposed UK drug-driving legislation.. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1588
This paper reported a significant dose-related decrement in driving performance following cannabis use alongside an increased crash risk.
Harold Kalant. Adverse effects of cannabis on health: an update of the literature since 1996.. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.05.027
This literature update noted that a causal role of acute cannabis intoxication in motor accidents has been demonstrated by THC presence and higher culpability risks.
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