Just the Facts Historically , it ’ s been all too easy to get lost in a haze of misinformation about cannabis use . It ’ s time to set the record straight
Myth :
Driving high is safer than Driving Drunk
Fact : Even a small amount of cannabis
will impair driving performance , since it affects the cognitive abilities that you need to drive safely — alertness , concentration , reaction time , ability to judge distances , perception , coordination and motor skills . impairment is impairment , whether it ’ s due to alcohol or drugs . it ’ s best to separate driving from cannabis use .
Myth :
You Drive better when You ’ re high
Fact : tests have shown that drivers
who are high are keenly aware they ’ re impaired , so they develop compensatory strategies such as driving slower or increasing their following distance . But that doesn ’ t mean they ’ re driving more safely . in the U . s ., where a handful of states have legalized recreational cannabis use , research shows that drugimpaired driving fatalities have actually increased .
Myth :
Younger aDults are more eDucateD about how cannabis affects Driving
Fact : you ’ d think so , but according to a
recent caa survey , nearly one in three canadians aged 18 to 34 believe they can drive better when high .
Myth : there ’ s no roaDsiDe Drug test Yet
Fact : two salivascreening devices have
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been submitted for approval . if approved , they wouldn ’ t come into use until october , but police can still conduct a standard Field sobriety test . this test detects drug impairment and probable cause for arrest . if you ’ re arrested , a trained Drug Recognition Expert will perform further testing at the police station .
Myth : cannabis affects everYone the same waY
Fact : cannabis ’ s active ingredient , tHc , affects
everyone differently and in different ways . one person may become impaired after one or two puffs , while another could
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be unaffected after consuming the same amount . there ’ s no benchmark amount that ’ s safe for all . if you ’ re using cannabis , plan ahead and arrange for a safe drive home .
Myth : the government hasn ’ t Yet set penalties for cannabis impairment
Fact : Federal and provincial penalties
are enshrined in law . Drug-impaired drivers charged under alberta laws can expect to have their licence suspended and vehicle seized , and are required to attend a remedial education course . Drivers can also be charged under the criminal code of canada , which means a hefty fine and possible imprisonment , depending on your record of prior convictions and the amount of tHc and alcohol in your blood .
Myth : there are exemptions for people who use prescription cannabis
Fact : Even if you use cannabis for medical
purposes , you can ’ t legally drive while drug-impaired .
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Sobriety Test — the same battery of physical- and mental-coordination tasks they already use at the roadside to identify impaired drivers . That said , under Bill C-46 , drivers who fail a roadside sobriety test must accompany police for further testing . The law makes it easier for police to demand blood samples , and drivers who are suspected of being impaired may also be interviewed by Drug Recognition Experts , ( DRE )— police officers who ’ ve been trained to recognize the signs of intoxication by various narcotics , including cannabis .
Next steps One thing to expect , according to AMA ’ s Wilson , is that there will be an increase in cannabis use , and likely also an increase in individuals driving while impaired . So it ’ s important that law enforcement agencies train more DREs before cannabis becomes fully legal . “ We need to be sure that we can maintain a high level of public safety ; building capacity for DREs is one way of doing that ,” Wilson says .
The availability of reliable oral-screening devices and the capability to conduct impaired driving – related blood tests within a two-hour timeframe will be equally crucial . AMA also hopes to see researchers continue to study the link between THC and impairment , so that conclusive limits can be established .
As all levels of government prepare for legalization , AMA continues to call for comprehensive public education about how cannabis affects driving ability , with specific messages targeted to young people . “ As we saw with alcohol , public education will be important in dispelling cannabis myths and reducing impaired driving ,” Wilson adds . “ We ’ re committed to working with government and non-government stakeholders to ensure our roads remain safe for all Albertans .”
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JasonDoiy / istock |