Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Monday, 3 January 2022
Monday, 2 November 2015
First of its Kind Study Shows Cannabis Has Little to No Significant Effect on Driving
First of its Kind Study Shows Cannabis Has Little to No Significant Effect on Driving
http://www.ccguide.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=21223
Anna Hunt
Waking Times
Friday 30 Oct 2015
Researchers at the University of Iowa’s (UI’s) National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) published a new study that examined how inhaling cannabis affects driving. The results may help shape the rules of how law enforcement handles drivers under the influence of cannabis.
“Alcohol is the most common drug present in the system in roadside stops by police; cannabis is the next most common, and cannabis is often paired with alcohol below the legal limits.
We know alcohol is an issue, but is cannabis an issue or is cannabis an issue when paired with alcohol? We tried to find out.” ~ Tim Brown, associate research scientist at NADS and co-author of the study.
The new study, conducted by Gary Gaffney, Tim Brown and Gary Milavetz, put 18 participants through a 35 to 45 minute simulated driving test, with one group having consumed alcohol, another having vaporized cannabis, and a third group under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. The effort was sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Four important findings were reported:
Drivers under the influence of only cannabis showed little driving impairment when compared to drivers under the influence of alcohol or both substances.
Drivers with blood concentrations of 13.1 ug/L THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient in cannabis) showed similar impairment to drivers with a .08 breath alcohol concentration, the legal limit in most states. The current legal limit for THC in Washington and Colorado is 5 ug/L.
Drivers who use alcohol and cannabis together weave more on a virtual roadway than ones that used either substance independently, although consuming both does not double the impairment.
Analyzing a driver’s oral fluids can detect recent use of cannabis although it should not be considered a reliable measure of impairment.
For the study, researchers selected 13 men and five women between the ages of 21 and 37 who reported drinking alcohol and using marijuana no more than three times a week. After spending the night at the UI’s facilities to ensure sobriety, participants were taken to NADS for “dosing” followed by a simulated drive in a 1996 Malibu sedan mounted in a 24-feet diameter dome.
Before the simulation test, each participant had 10 minutes to drink an alcoholic beverage, or a juice with flavoring that mimicked alcohol, and then another 10 minutes to inhale a placebo or vaporized cannabis. The goal was to have some participants’ blood alcohol level at about 0.065 percent, and some participants’ blood concentrations at about 13.1 ug/L THC, and some under the influence of both.
Once in the simulator, drivers were assessed on: weaving within the lane; how often the car left the lane; and the speed of weaving. The researchers reported that drivers with only alcohol in their systems showed impairment in all three areas. They reported that participants only under the influence of cannabis showed impairment only with weaving within the lane.
Andrew Spurgin, a postdoctoral research fellow with the UI College of Pharmacy, shared another important fact as part of the study:
“Everyone wants a Breathalyzer which works for alcohol because alcohol is metabolized in the lungs. But for cannabis this isn’t as simple due to THC’s metabolic and chemical properties.”
The study’s finding are not likely to have any immediate effect on the current legal limits for THC, but hopefully it will slow the attempts to deploy devices for instant roadside THC testing before further research can be conducted.
About the Author
Anna Hunt is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She and her husband run a preparedness e-store outlet at www.offgridoutpost.com, offering GMO-free storable food and emergency kits. Anna is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. Read more of her excellent articles here. Visit her essential oils store here.
Source:
http://now.uiowa.edu/2015/06/ui-studies-impact-marijuana-driving
This article (First of its Kind Study Shows that Cannabis Has Little to No Significant Effect on Driving) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Anna Hunt and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.
http://www.wakingtimes.com/2015/10/30/first-of-its-kind-study-shows-cannabis-has-little-to-no-significant-effect-on-driving/
http://www.ccguide.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=21223
Anna Hunt
Waking Times
Friday 30 Oct 2015
Researchers at the University of Iowa’s (UI’s) National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) published a new study that examined how inhaling cannabis affects driving. The results may help shape the rules of how law enforcement handles drivers under the influence of cannabis.
“Alcohol is the most common drug present in the system in roadside stops by police; cannabis is the next most common, and cannabis is often paired with alcohol below the legal limits.
We know alcohol is an issue, but is cannabis an issue or is cannabis an issue when paired with alcohol? We tried to find out.” ~ Tim Brown, associate research scientist at NADS and co-author of the study.
The new study, conducted by Gary Gaffney, Tim Brown and Gary Milavetz, put 18 participants through a 35 to 45 minute simulated driving test, with one group having consumed alcohol, another having vaporized cannabis, and a third group under the influence of both alcohol and cannabis. The effort was sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Four important findings were reported:
Drivers under the influence of only cannabis showed little driving impairment when compared to drivers under the influence of alcohol or both substances.
Drivers with blood concentrations of 13.1 ug/L THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient in cannabis) showed similar impairment to drivers with a .08 breath alcohol concentration, the legal limit in most states. The current legal limit for THC in Washington and Colorado is 5 ug/L.
Drivers who use alcohol and cannabis together weave more on a virtual roadway than ones that used either substance independently, although consuming both does not double the impairment.
Analyzing a driver’s oral fluids can detect recent use of cannabis although it should not be considered a reliable measure of impairment.
For the study, researchers selected 13 men and five women between the ages of 21 and 37 who reported drinking alcohol and using marijuana no more than three times a week. After spending the night at the UI’s facilities to ensure sobriety, participants were taken to NADS for “dosing” followed by a simulated drive in a 1996 Malibu sedan mounted in a 24-feet diameter dome.
Before the simulation test, each participant had 10 minutes to drink an alcoholic beverage, or a juice with flavoring that mimicked alcohol, and then another 10 minutes to inhale a placebo or vaporized cannabis. The goal was to have some participants’ blood alcohol level at about 0.065 percent, and some participants’ blood concentrations at about 13.1 ug/L THC, and some under the influence of both.
Once in the simulator, drivers were assessed on: weaving within the lane; how often the car left the lane; and the speed of weaving. The researchers reported that drivers with only alcohol in their systems showed impairment in all three areas. They reported that participants only under the influence of cannabis showed impairment only with weaving within the lane.
Andrew Spurgin, a postdoctoral research fellow with the UI College of Pharmacy, shared another important fact as part of the study:
“Everyone wants a Breathalyzer which works for alcohol because alcohol is metabolized in the lungs. But for cannabis this isn’t as simple due to THC’s metabolic and chemical properties.”
The study’s finding are not likely to have any immediate effect on the current legal limits for THC, but hopefully it will slow the attempts to deploy devices for instant roadside THC testing before further research can be conducted.
About the Author
Anna Hunt is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She and her husband run a preparedness e-store outlet at www.offgridoutpost.com, offering GMO-free storable food and emergency kits. Anna is also a certified Hatha yoga instructor. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness. Read more of her excellent articles here. Visit her essential oils store here.
Source:
http://now.uiowa.edu/2015/06/ui-studies-impact-marijuana-driving
This article (First of its Kind Study Shows that Cannabis Has Little to No Significant Effect on Driving) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Anna Hunt and WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.
http://www.wakingtimes.com/2015/10/30/first-of-its-kind-study-shows-cannabis-has-little-to-no-significant-effect-on-driving/
Friday, 23 March 2012
Concerns over online drugs poll - comment
"legalising cannabis" is about law and Justice - we must ask first whether the possession or small scale cultivation of cannabis poses any threat or does any harm to others - in itself - not speculate. For instance, when it comes to unsafely driving whilst under the influence then that would come under driving laws just as over-the-limit drinking does: alcohol is not banned despite accidents, fights, destruction of property etc - and anyone proved guilty of that can be dealt with by the authorities irrespective of whether they are sober, drunk or high on pot. It would not be seen as just by many people to punish everyone that drinks alcohol because of what a minority of others do.
Likewise with illness: cannabis is actually far less risk to health than aspirin, tobacco, alcohol and it is surely not Just to punish users because they or others get ill?
Cannabis, like alcohol, is widely used in the UK - by millions - and those unable or unwilling to grow their own are exposed to drug dealers and crime - lack of information, availability of other drugs, contaminated cannabis that poses health risks of its own.
Imagine if the only source of alcohol was illegal dealers or manufacturers, that criminals control the supply! Oh yes, they tried that in the US and had to legalise alcohol again.
And the cost to the taxpayer of chasing over 3 million regular users, thousands of growers and dealers, only to find that however many or fined or locked up, there is more and more cannabis on the streets.
Then there is the ridiculous situation where people like Winston Matthews in Surrey are imprisoned for growing cannabis to ease the terrible pains of illness or injury - nobody else involved.
Consider the cost to the NHS of providing pharmaceutical drugs, often with their own risks and side-effects, to people that claim cannabis is more effective. Now Pharmacists are producing whole-cannabis extract containing about ten pounds worth which they sell at over £120 a can of spray to people in desperate need whilst they risk prison if they grow their own.
Of course there is the cost of potentially criminalising millions of our youth - for a crime without victims.
Not forgetting of course, that if it is legal to grow cannabis then it is legal to grow hemp - a valuable source of fibre, foodstuff, oils and environmentally-friendly fuels - local hemp could avoid the problem of transporting fossil fuels around the world and ease up on pollution.
And what of the negative impact: less profit for giant petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies, less work for the police and courts .. less money for drug dealers.
I voted in favour of legalising cannabis also realising that it is not cannabis that needs legalising because it is not itself illegal - it is the possession, cultivation and supply that is illegal and need legalising - the law is aimed at people, not drugs - the "war on drugs" is a war on drug-users, not substances.
I have studied the pro's and cons: I hear the cries that cannabis causes problems in a minority of users, and poses risks to others if people drive whilst high - but all those risks are made worse by the failed prohibition.
I would advise anyone seriously concerned about those risks to use the WWW and search for evidence, because there are several reports out there claiming cannabis has little detrimental effect on driving skills and poses only a small risk to a small percentage of people predisposed to certain mental health condition eg http://tinyurl.com/79zcjmj”
Likewise with illness: cannabis is actually far less risk to health than aspirin, tobacco, alcohol and it is surely not Just to punish users because they or others get ill?
Cannabis, like alcohol, is widely used in the UK - by millions - and those unable or unwilling to grow their own are exposed to drug dealers and crime - lack of information, availability of other drugs, contaminated cannabis that poses health risks of its own.
Imagine if the only source of alcohol was illegal dealers or manufacturers, that criminals control the supply! Oh yes, they tried that in the US and had to legalise alcohol again.
And the cost to the taxpayer of chasing over 3 million regular users, thousands of growers and dealers, only to find that however many or fined or locked up, there is more and more cannabis on the streets.
Then there is the ridiculous situation where people like Winston Matthews in Surrey are imprisoned for growing cannabis to ease the terrible pains of illness or injury - nobody else involved.
Consider the cost to the NHS of providing pharmaceutical drugs, often with their own risks and side-effects, to people that claim cannabis is more effective. Now Pharmacists are producing whole-cannabis extract containing about ten pounds worth which they sell at over £120 a can of spray to people in desperate need whilst they risk prison if they grow their own.
Of course there is the cost of potentially criminalising millions of our youth - for a crime without victims.
Not forgetting of course, that if it is legal to grow cannabis then it is legal to grow hemp - a valuable source of fibre, foodstuff, oils and environmentally-friendly fuels - local hemp could avoid the problem of transporting fossil fuels around the world and ease up on pollution.
And what of the negative impact: less profit for giant petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies, less work for the police and courts .. less money for drug dealers.
I voted in favour of legalising cannabis also realising that it is not cannabis that needs legalising because it is not itself illegal - it is the possession, cultivation and supply that is illegal and need legalising - the law is aimed at people, not drugs - the "war on drugs" is a war on drug-users, not substances.
I have studied the pro's and cons: I hear the cries that cannabis causes problems in a minority of users, and poses risks to others if people drive whilst high - but all those risks are made worse by the failed prohibition.
I would advise anyone seriously concerned about those risks to use the WWW and search for evidence, because there are several reports out there claiming cannabis has little detrimental effect on driving skills and poses only a small risk to a small percentage of people predisposed to certain mental health condition eg http://tinyurl.com/79zcjmj”
Leicester Mercury, March 23 21012
Concerns over online drugs poll
Regarding the online poll about the legalisation of cannabis, I was rather perturbed to see that so many seem to be in favour of a change in the law.
Admittedly the respondents are a self-selected group and not necessarily representative of the general population but their influence may be important.
In addition to the concerns about mental health, progression to other drugs, etc, I do wonder how many of those wanting to decriminalize cannabis have considered its detrimental impact on daily functioning.
Very recently, a research paper in the British Medical Journal found that cannabis use doubles the odds of having a motor vehicle crash.
So I would suggest if the rules concerning so-called "recreational" drugs are to change then it will also be necessary to consider implementing drug-driving legislation in order to keep the remainder of the community safe from the increased threat of road accidents.
Personal use of drugs has wide-reaching effects beyond those on the individual and this must not be forgotten.
Eleanor Mather, Earl Shilton.
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