Driving Under Influence of Marijuana at Least Twice as Dangerous as Alcohol

 

A study prepared by researchers from Columbia University concludes that drivers under the influence of marijuana are more than twice as likely to cause motor vehicle accidents. The report, entitled Marijuana Use and Motor Vehicle Crashes which was a metanalysis of prior studies, found:

Specifically, drivers who test positive for marijuana or self-report using marijuana are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes.

Marijuana is now legal for those persons in Michigan over the age of 21, and it is expected that more people than ever will be driving after consuming products containing marijuana. However, debate still exists as to whether and how much marijuana use actually impacts a driver’s ability.  Much more rigorous study must be done.

When viewing studies such as this some important questions to ask include: who funded this research and for what purpose?  It would also be interesting to learn how the tests for marijuana were done?  Did the researchers test for active THC or just a metabolite of THC?  A metabolite only shows prior consumption whereas active THC might show intoxication.  Also, what criteria were used to determine if the marijuana actually contributed to the accident?  Was there actual causation, or did the researchers merely uncover meaningless correlation?

Look to see an ever-increasing number of researchers performing research of questionable scientific integrity regarding drugged driving.  Such articles give apparent authority to the corresponding increase in the publicity surrounding the dangers posed by drivers under the influence of drugs like marijuana. In fairness, this study does conclude by indicating:

Although this meta-analysis provides compelling evidence for an association between marijuana use and crash risk, it is impossible to infer causality from these epidemiologic data alone. A more rigorous assessment of the nature of the relationship between marijuana use and crash risk is complicated by several factors. Among them are biases from measured and unmeasured confounding variables, and the difficulty posed by polydrug use.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s law enforcement community continues to increase the enforcement of Michigan’s driving under the influence of marijuana traffic laws. In fact, there has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of arrests for driving under the influence of marijuana.  Michigan calls the crime operating while intoxicated (OWI), which is the same acronym used for an alcohol case.  In part this is because in Michigan a conviction for OWI marijuana carries exactly the same consequences as applicable to an OWI alcohol conviction.

To learn more, consult a dedicated Michigan marijuana DUI lawyer. The penalties for a conviction on these charges could change the course of your life. Protect your rights by calling now and scheduling a consultation.