Policy debates regarding marijuana-law reform invariably raise the issue of marijuana and driving. This is a valid concern. In fact, NORML's own "Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use" invoke a "no driving" clause, stating: "Although cannabis is said by most experts to be safer than alcohol and many prescription drugs with motorists, responsible cannabis consumers never operate motor vehicles in an impaired condition."
Nevertheless, concerns regarding doped driving should not be an impediment to marijuana-law reform. Alcohol is legal in America, yet every state maintains tough laws punishing those who choose to drive impaired by it. There is no reason why similar principles should not regulate cannabis consumption.
Moreover, emerging scientific research indicates that cannabis actually has far less impact on the psychomotor skills needed for driving than alcohol does, and is seldom a causal factor in automobile accidents. The following documents provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific evidence regarding marijuana's impact on psychomotor skills and driving.
You Are Going Directly To Jail: DUID Legislation: What It Means, Who's Behind It, and Strategies to Prevent It
NORML Report (2005)
Cruising on Cannabis: Putting the Brakes on Doped Driving Misconceptions
NORML/High Times NORMLIZER Report (August 2002)
Marijuana and Driving: A Review of the Scientific Evidence
NORML Report (2002)
Schaffer Library of Drug Policy References on Drugs and Driving
Cannabis and Driving: A Review of the Literature and Commentary
UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (Road Safety Division) Report (2000)
Cannabis and Road Safety: An Outline of the Research Studies to Examine the Effects of Cannabis on Driving Skills and on Actual Driving Performance
National Drug and Alcohol Research Center (Australia) Report
The Influence of Cannabis on Driving
UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (Road Safety Division) Report (2000)
Marijuana and Actual Driving Performance
US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Report (1993)
Marijuana and Actual Driving Performance
U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT HS 808 078), Final Report, (November 1993)
Erowid Library on Cannabis and Driving
BBC Report on Marijuana and Driving
