Cannaus
  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Cannaus

Ground-breaking study busts dangerous driving and medical cannabis myth

5 years ago
in National
0
Driving on cannabis

Driving on cannabis

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A ground-breaking study from the University of Sydney shows that medications containing CBD have no impact on driving ability, while medications with THC only impair a person for several hours.

Medical cannabis patients in Australia are frequently warned not to drive under the influence of their medication, as patients caught with THC in their system will be prosecuted under Australia’s drug driving laws. 

However, medical cannabis researchers have long disputed the fact that medical cannabis causes long term impairment, with the results of a new study supporting this. 

The study was led by scientists at the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics but was carried out in the Netherlands Maastricht University. Results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study had 26 participants drive a 100km stretch of highway with a driving instructor. Participants were given a different vaped cannabis product on each drive, in random order. Each participant completed four drives on separate days, testing:

  • THC-dominant cannabis
  • CBD-dominant cannabis
  • THC and CBD dominant cannabis
  • Placebo cannabis

Driving was then assessed using a test that measures the standard deviation of vehicle position (SDLP). When someone is impaired under a drug like alcohol, their SDLP is expected to increase. 

The study found that CBD did not impair a person’s driving or increase their SDLP. While THC impaired drivers mildly, impairment only lasted for up to four hours. This suggests Australians taking CBD are not impaired while driving, while the impairment from THC is not as strong (nor as dangerous) as was previously assumed.

The study’s lead author Dr. Thomas Arkell believes the findings have positive implications for medical cannabis patients, stating:

These findings indicate for the first time that CBD when given without THC, does not affect a subject’s ability to drive. That’s great news for those using or considering treatment using CBD-based products.

The results of the study may also influence the changing of drug driving laws in Victoria, as the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety is investigating the applicability of the state’s current drug driving laws. The NSW parliament rejected a similar bill last month.

Tags: Research
Share7Tweet4
Karie Cornell

Karie Cornell

Based in Victoria, Karie's passionate about pro-cannabis legislation in Australia. She joined Cannaus to share and bring awareness to the latest cannabis news across Australia.

Related Posts

Cannabis leaf with seeds
National

WA government classifies a cannabis seed the same as a fully-grown plant

January 13, 2022
Small cannabis plant growing in a pot
National

New Zealand-based cannabis producer Greenfern reaches partnership agreement with Cannvalate

January 13, 2022
Cannabis medicine
National

Study shows the majority of women using medical cannabis for endometriosis obtain it illegally

January 11, 2022
Green cannabis leaf on wood
National

Cannim set to become major name in adult-use cannabis market through strategic merger

December 27, 2021
Cannabis oil with bud
National

Elixinol Wellness (ASX: EXL) signs deal with major British cannabis company

December 27, 2021
Penalty
National

TGA fines St Francis Pharmacy nearly $40k for advertising medicinal cannabis

December 23, 2021
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Disclaimer
Cannaus does not recommend that anyone uses cannabis for medical or adult use purposes unless consulted by a medical professional. Cannabis is a drug and may have negative side effects. Please consult with your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.

  • Home
  • State News
    • ACT
    • QLD
    • NSW
    • NT
    • SA
    • TAS
    • VIC
    • WA
  • Topics
    • Business
    • CBD
    • Government
    • Hemp
    • International
    • Legalisation
    • Medicinal Cannabis
    • Offences
    • Research
    • Misc
  • Cannabis Companies
No Result
View All Result
Weekly Cannabis News

Get the latest Australian cannabis news straight to your inbox every week.

Enter your email address

Thanks, I’m not interested

wpDiscuz