A new study from the University of California San Diego has shed light on widespread confusion surrounding Cannabis Driving Laws among Californians. Even six years after the legalization of recreational cannabis use, many adults still lack clear understanding of the state’s driving-related cannabis regulations.
The research, published in BMC Public Health, comes from the large-scale Impact 64 study funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control which surveyed over 4,000 Californians who currently use cannabis. The findings reveal that although one-third of Californians regularly use cannabis, awareness about safe driving practices remains inconsistent.
“Many people who currently use cannabis are unaware of regulations and laws around driving and cannabis use, putting themselves and others at risk,” said Sara Baird, M.D., associate physician diplomate at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science.
As cannabis becomes more mainstream, Cannabis Driving Laws have taken center stage in public safety discussions. The Impact 64 study examined how well users understand provisions of Proposition 64, which governs cannabis use and driving in California. For instance, it is illegal for drivers or passengers to smoke or ingest cannabis in a moving vehicle, and all cannabis containers inside a vehicle must be unopened and sealed, even if stored in the trunk.
According to the study’s findings:
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64% of users felt safe driving within 3 hours or less after smoking or vaping cannabis.
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55% believed it was safe to drive within 5 hours or less after consuming edibles.
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Only 59% knew cannabis containers must remain sealed while driving.
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62% were aware that using cannabis in a moving vehicle is illegal.
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73% understood that driving under the influence of cannabis could result in a DUI citation or arrest.
Those who lacked awareness of Cannabis Driving Laws were significantly more likely to have been pulled over or involved in a crash while under the influence of cannabis.
“Our study highlights the urgent need for education initiatives targeting both cannabis users and healthcare providers,” said Linda Hill, M.D., M.P.H., principal investigator of Impact 64 and professor at UC San Diego."
As cannabis use continues to grow across the nation, understanding Cannabis Driving Laws is essential to ensuring public safety. Experts emphasize that education not just enforcement is key to reducing cannabis-impaired driving incidents and promoting responsible use among Californians.
by UC San Diego Today - University of California San Diego
