Friday Favorites: The Effects of Marijuana on Car Accidents

Summary

The transcript discusses the impact of marijuana on car accidents and public safety. It highlights that while there is an increase in cannabis-impaired driving incidents, this may not necessarily indicate causation but rather reflects overall increased use. The risks associated with marijuana use in traffic accidents are present, but they are significantly less compared to alcohol. In fact, data suggests that legalizing marijuana may lead to a decrease in traffic fatalities due to reduced alcohol consumption. The health risks of cannabis dependence are also less severe than those of alcohol, leading to a reevaluation of the safety hierarchy among cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco.

Takeaways

• 🚫 **Cannabis-Impaired Driving Concerns**: There is a public health and safety concern regarding cannabis-impaired driving, with increased tickets for such offenses in Washington State after legalization.
• 📈 **Correlation vs. Causation**: While there is a correlation between marijuana use and car accidents, this does not necessarily imply causation, as overall marijuana use has increased generally.
• 👦 **Demographics of Users**: The primary demographic of marijuana users includes young people and males, who also have a higher crash risk regardless of substance use.
• 🚗 **Cannabis and Traffic Crashes**: Studies suggest that cannabis use may be responsible for 20-30% of traffic crashes it's involved in, but this is significantly less compared to alcohol's 85%.
• 🥊 **Severity of Crashes**: Cannabis-related crashes are not just minor accidents; the risk of serious injury or death nearly doubles with acute cannabis consumption.
• 🍻 **Alcohol vs. Cannabis**: Alcohol significantly increases the risk of car crashes, with a 6-15 fold increase compared to cannabis, which may double or triple the risk.
• 🥂 **Combination Effects**: The combined use of cannabis and alcohol can be particularly dangerous, increasing the odds of a fatal car crash by 25 times.
• 📉 **Legalization Impact**: Contrary to concerns, traffic fatalities did not increase after marijuana legalization; they decreased, possibly due to reduced alcohol consumption.
• 🍃 **Substitution Effect**: Legalizing cannabis may lead to less alcohol use, potentially reducing alcohol-related health issues like liver disease and brain damage.
• 🌿 **Cannabis vs. Alcohol Harm**: Cannabis is unlikely to produce as much harm as alcohol, as it doesn't cause liver or gastrointestinal diseases, is not fatal in overdoses, and is less neurotoxic.
• 🚬 **Comparative Harms**: When comparing cannabis to legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco, cannabis dependence may be less harmful, with fewer serious health problems on average.

Q & A

Is cannabis-impaired driving a public health and safety concern?

While there is evidence correlating marijuana use with car accidents, it is not definitively proven that cannabis directly causes these accidents. The increase in cannabis-impaired driving incidents may reflect a general rise in marijuana use rather than a direct causation with car crashes.

What happened to the number of tickets for cannabis-impaired driving in Washington State after legalization?

The number of tickets for cannabis-impaired driving increased in Washington State after the legalization of marijuana. However, this increase may not necessarily indicate that cannabis is causing more accidents, but could be related to the overall increase in marijuana use.

How did the proportion of drivers in fatal car crashes in Colorado change after legalization?

The proportion of drivers in fatal car crashes in Colorado who tested positive for cannabis use increased after legalization. Similar to Washington State, this increase might reflect the general rise in marijuana use rather than a direct impact on crash causation.

Who typically uses marijuana and what is their crash risk?

Marijuana is predominantly used by young people and males, who also happen to be the demographic with a higher crash risk regardless of substance use.

What percentage of traffic crashes involving cannabis use are attributed to the cannabis use itself?

After accounting for user demographics, it is estimated that about 20 to 30% of traffic crashes involving cannabis use occur because of the cannabis use.

How does the risk of car crashes compare between cannabis and alcohol use?

Cannabis use may double or triple the risk of car crashes, whereas alcohol use can increase the risk by 6 to 15 times. The combination of both substances can lead to a 25 times higher odds of fatal car crash involvement.

What impact did marijuana legalization have on traffic fatalities in the states where it was legalized?

Contrary to expectations, traffic fatalities did not increase after marijuana legalization in certain states; they actually decreased. This was attributed to reduced alcohol consumption, as the legalization of marijuana was associated with less drunk driving.

How does cannabis compare to alcohol in terms of potential harm?

Cannabis is considered less harmful than alcohol because it does not cause liver or gastrointestinal diseases, is not fatal in overdoses, and does not appear as neurotoxic as alcohol. Additionally, the health problems associated with cannabis dependence are generally less serious than those related to alcohol dependence.

What are some health benefits observed with the legalization of marijuana?

With the legalization of marijuana, there is potential for reduced liver disease and alcohol-induced brain damage, as marijuana may substitute for some alcohol use, which is more harmful.

How does the safety of cannabis compare to legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco?

According to the CDC, alcohol is linked to approximately 88,000 deaths per year, whereas deaths due to cannabis are fewer and often related to car accidents. When comparing psychoactive drugs, cannabis might be considered more suitable for legalization than the more harmful legal drugs—tobacco and alcohol.

What historical comparison can be made regarding the public health warnings about cannabis and alcohol?

The public health warnings about cannabis are sometimes met with skepticism, similar to how warnings about the dangers of heavy alcohol consumption were dismissed in the 1940s and 1950s after the repeal of prohibition. The public health profession faces challenges in educating about the adverse health effects of cannabis without being labeled as overreacting.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Cannabis and Car Accidents: Risks and Comparisons

This paragraph discusses the impact of marijuana use on car accidents, highlighting that while there has been an increase in cannabis-impaired driving incidents in some states following legalization, this may reflect a general rise in marijuana use rather than causation. It emphasizes that demographics most likely to use marijuana (young people and males) are also those with higher crash risks. The paragraph notes that while 20-30% of traffic crashes involving cannabis may be attributed to its use, this is significantly lower compared to alcohol's 85%. A systematic review indicates that acute cannabis use nearly doubles the risk of serious injury or death in car crashes, but this risk is much higher with alcohol, especially when both substances are used together. The paragraph also explores the paradox that legalizing marijuana may lead to a decrease in traffic fatalities due to reduced alcohol consumption, and posits that cannabis is less harmful than alcohol in terms of health issues and its role in car accidents.

Keywords

💡Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. It is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In the context of the video, marijuana's effects on driving ability and its role in car accidents are discussed, comparing its risks to those of alcohol consumption.

💡Impaired Driving

Impaired driving refers to the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of substances that affect cognitive and motor functions, such as alcohol or drugs. The video script highlights the concern over marijuana-impaired driving and its potential impact on public health and safety, particularly in relation to car accidents.

💡Public Health

Public health encompasses the measures taken to maintain and improve the health of a population, including efforts to prevent disease and promote wellness. The video addresses marijuana's impact on public health, especially in terms of its consumption and its consequences on traffic safety compared to alcohol use.

💡Car Accidents

Car accidents are unintended events resulting in damage, injury, or death due to collisions involving motor vehicles. The script discusses the correlation between marijuana use and car accidents, examining the extent to which cannabis use may contribute to such incidents.

💡Correlation

Correlation refers to a statistical relationship between two variables, such as marijuana use and car accidents. The video emphasizes that while there is a correlation between marijuana use and accidents, it does not necessarily imply causation, as other factors like increased marijuana use in general must be considered.

💡Fatal Car Crashes

Fatal car crashes are those in which at least one person is killed. The video script mentions the proportion of drivers in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana, but also notes that this could reflect a general increase in marijuana use rather than a direct cause of the crashes.

💡Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption is the intake of alcoholic beverages, which can lead to impairment and is a well-known factor in car accidents. The video contrasts the risks associated with alcohol and marijuana, suggesting that while marijuana may increase crash risks, alcohol has a more significant and documented impact on traffic fatalities.

💡Legalization

Legalization refers to the process of making a previously illegal activity or substance lawful. The video discusses the effects of marijuana legalization on traffic fatalities and public health, noting that in states where marijuana was legalized, traffic fatalities did not increase but rather decreased due to reduced alcohol consumption.

💡Tobacco

Tobacco is a plant product that is commonly smoked and is known for its harmful health effects, including addiction and various diseases. In the video, tobacco is mentioned as one of the legal drugs causing significant health problems, with a comparison made to the potential harms of marijuana use.

💡Cannabis Dependence

Cannabis dependence refers to a condition where individuals develop a psychological and/or physical need for marijuana, leading to continued use despite negative consequences. The video acknowledges that while cannabis dependence is a concern, the health problems associated with it are generally less severe than those related to alcohol dependence.

💡Neurotoxicity

Neurotoxicity is the potential of a substance to cause damage to the nervous system, including the brain. The video suggests that alcohol appears to be more neurotoxic than cannabis, as marijuana does not seem to cause the same level of harm to the brain or nervous system.

Highlights

The number of tickets for cannabis-impaired driving increased in Washington State after legalization.

The proportion of drivers in fatal car crashes in Colorado who tested positive for cannabis increased, but this may reflect overall increased use.

Evidence correlates marijuana use with car accidents, but demographic factors like age and gender should be considered as they are also high-risk groups for crashes.

After accounting for these factors, 20 to 30% of traffic crashes involving cannabis use are due to the drug.

In comparison, alcohol is involved in 85% of traffic crashes.

Systematic review shows that cannabis consumption nearly doubles the risk of serious injury or death in car crashes.

While cannabis may increase crash risk, alcohol increases the risk 6 to 15 times more.

Combining cannabis and alcohol increases the odds of a fatal car crash by 25 times.

Legalization of cannabis is a primary concern due to its potential safety consequences when used while driving.

In states where marijuana was legalized, traffic fatalities did not increase; they decreased.

Reduced alcohol consumption is linked to the decrease in traffic fatalities post-legalization.

Legalization of cannabis may lead to less liver disease and alcohol-induced brain damage as it substitutes for some alcohol use.

Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol as it doesn't cause liver or gastrointestinal diseases, isn't fatal in overdoses, and isn't as neurotoxic.

Health problems from cannabis dependence, such as bronchitis and memory impairment, are less serious than those from alcohol dependence.

Public health authorities face criticism for raising concerns about cannabis dependence, similar to the dismissal of temperance advocates in the past.

The safety of cannabis in comparison to alcohol and tobacco is highlighted, with alcohol linked to approximately 88,000 deaths per year.

Cannabis might be higher on the list of psychoactive drugs to be legal if decided today, considering the problems caused by legal drugs like tobacco and alcohol.

Transcripts

"The Effects of Marijuana on Car Accidents"

Is cannabis-impaired driving a public health and safety concern?

Well, the number of tickets went up for cannabis-impaired driving

in Washington State after legalization, and the proportion of drivers

in fatal car crashes in Colorado who tested positive went up.

But in both cases, this may simply reflect the general increase

in marijuana use overall.

It doesn't mean the cannabis is causing the crashes.

Yeah, there’s lots of evidence correlating marijuana use with car accidents.

But you have to ask yourself who uses marijuana?

Mostly young people and males.

And guess who has higher crash risk regardless of what they smoke?

Young people and males.

But taking that into account, it does seem that roughly 20 to 30%

of traffic crashes involving cannabis use occur because of the cannabis use.

To put that in perspective, though, that number is more like

85% when it comes to alcohol.

Yeah, but are the cannabis crashes just low velocity fender bender

bumps from some wasted driver going like five miles an hour?

After a systematic review of the literature, this compilation of studies

examining acute cannabis consumption and motor vehicle collisions

“found a near doubling of risk of a driver being involved

in a motor vehicle collision resulting in serious injury or death.”

So, that’s pretty serious; though again, alcohol is even worse.

Yes, cannabis may double or triple the risk of car crashes,

but alcohol may multiply the risk like 6 to 15-fold.

The combo may be worse, though;

25 times the odds of fatal car crash involvement testing positive for both.

The safety consequence of cannabis intoxication when driving

is listed as a primary concern about cannabis legalization.

OK, well what happened in the states where marijuana was legalized?

How much did traffic fatalities go up?

They didn’t. In fact, they went down. What?

Why does legalizing pot reduce traffic fatalities?

Because of reduced alcohol consumption.

They found that legalization of weed was associated

with reduced alcohol consumption; so yes, more drugged driving,

but less drunk driving— and that’s so much worse,

that overall, fatalities went down.

So, perhaps we’d also see less liver disease,

less alcohol-induced brain damage,

as pot substitutes for some of the alcohol use.

Cannabis is unlikely to produce as much harm as alcohol

because, unlike alcohol, cannabis does not cause liver

or gastrointestinal diseases, not fatal in overdoses,

and does not appear as neurotoxic as alcohol,

and it’s not as potent a cause of car crashes as alcohol, either.

The health problems of cannabis dependence,

like bronchitis and memory impairment, are much less serious,

on average, than those suffering from alcohol dependence.

But this does not mean that cannabis dependence is a minor problem,

but public health authorities can be criticized for bringing that up.

It’s like in the 40s and 50s after the repeal of prohibition,

you still need to warn people about the problems of

heavy drinking, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism,

but you’d just get dismissed as some temperance propagandist.

And now we see a similar thing, where the public health profession

wants to educate people about the adverse health effects

of cannabis, but are dismissed as reefer madness hysterics.

Still, it’s important to put these adverse health effects in perspective.

How does the safety of cannabis stack up against alcohol and tobacco?

According to the CDC, alcohol is linked to approximately

88,000 deaths per year, whereas the deaths due to cannabis

are from things like car accidents, and they go down

when more people smoke pot because alcohol is so much worse.

With hindsight, we can clearly see the enormous problems

that have been caused by the legal drugs—tobacco and alcohol.

If asked to decide today which psychoactive drugs should be legal,

cannabis might well be much higher on the list.