marijuana and car accidents Tag Archives

Published on: February 28, 2025

Calls For More Research into Effects of Marijuana on Car Accident Risks

There has been plenty of evidence – driven research into the effects of alcohol on a person’s auto accident risks, but not nearly as much effort has been put into investigating the impact of marijuana or cannabis on a person’s driving abilities. There is a significant likelihood that the use of marijuana may increase the risk of car accidents since it may slow reaction time.

Millions of Americans use marijuana. According to some statistics, in 2023 more than 61 million Americans admitted to using marijuana at least once in the past year. Those numbers have been rising steadily over the years. In 2013, only about 7% of adult Americans admitted to using marijuana. By 2023, approximately 15% of all Americans admitted to using marijuana. Many states have also legalized the use of marijuana, and have found a significant impact on their car accident rates since the legalization of the drug. While Georgia does not have laws that allow the use of marijuana, the state does see thousands of car accidents every year caused by people who are driving under the influence of cannabis.

Researchers say that with the growing use of marijuana across the country, it is important to investigate the amount of the drug that a person can have in his system before it begins to affect his driving abilities. There is much that we know about the impact of alcohol on a person’s driving abilities and this is the reason why we have laws that make it illegal for persons to operate a motor vehicle when they have more than the allowed blood alcohol concentration. In all 50 states, including Georgia, that limit is 08. There has been no such intensive research into the amount of marijuana that can seriously affect a person’s driving abilities.

Published on: October 6, 2023

Legalization of Marijuana Linked to Increased Risk of Auto Accident Personal Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia continues to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana for recreational use. While there is a very narrow exception for use of marijuana for medical purposes, the statute is not nearly has broad as found in many other states. Accordingly, marijuana is not as readily available in Georgia compared to other states that have fully legalized marijuana for all purposes or fully legalized marijuana to medical use. As the findings of a new study shows, this may be for the good since legalization of marijuana is linked to an increase in the number of auto accident personal injuries.

The information comes from a new study that was conducted in Canada. In 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes. According to the study, that decision has resulted in a significant increase in the number of auto accident injuries that are serious enough to lead to a visit to the emergency room.

The study is quick to affirm that marijuana – related emergency room visits after car accidents are still uncommon, but the percentage of such auto accidents has been skyrocketing since the 2018 legalization of marijuana. According to the study, there has been a 475% increase in car accident personal injuries linked to marijuana use, with the increase being even sharper following the 2018 legalization of marijuana. On the other hand, there has not been a similar increase in the number of alcohol – related car accident personal injuries resulting in emergency room visits during the same period of time.

Published on: March 20, 2015

Alcohol, Marijuana Involved in Half of All Accidents Involving Teens, Young Adults

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Alcohol and drugs are a leading cause of death involving persons in the 18-25 age group in the United States. However, a new study indicates that alcohol and drug use may be much more prominent factors in car accidents involving teenagers and young adult motorists.

According to a new study, 50% of all deaths involving teenagers and young adults in car accidents involve the use of alcohol or marijuana. In fact, researchers who conducted the study expressed concerns that the growing wave of legalization of marijuana around the country could spell disaster for young motorist safety. These motorists are already at a higher risk of alcohol use, drug use, and other kinds of dangerous driving practices. The researchers speculate that the increasing availability of marijuana and easing of restrictions on the use of pot have not had any effect on the popularity of alcohol among these drivers.

The study found that accident victims above the age of 21 were much more likely than younger victims to be driving with a combination of marijuana and alcohol in their system. About 50.3%, of young motorists who died were either stoned or drunk at the time of their accidents. In total, 37% of the motorists tested positive for alcohol at the time of their deaths, while 5.9% tested positive for marijuana. In 7.6% of the cases, the motorists had both alcohol and marijuana in their system.