In November, Missouri voted to legalize recreational marijuana, joining 20 other states that had already done so.
That decision opened the door to easier access to the drug for medical purposes and an opportunity to expunge past marijuana-related crimes. It also raised the risk of someone consuming cannabis products and then choosing to drive.
In 2017, about 1 in 8 high school drivers reported driving after using marijuana at least once during the previous month.
While it’s hard to measure precisely how many crashes are caused by drugged driving, estimates from the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggest almost 44% of drivers in fatal car crashes tested positive for drugs. Drunk driving accidents make up about a third of all traffic-related accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The traffic safety administration’s 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey revealed alcohol use by drivers between 1973 and 2013-2014 is trending down. By contrast, the percentage of weekend nighttime drivers who tested positive for marijuana rose from 8.6% in 2007 to 12.6% in 2014.
What the science says about driving under the influence of marijuana
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marijuana affects the areas of the brain that control how your body moves — balance, coordination, memory and judgment.
When you consume cannabis products, it can slow reaction time, impair…
