Legal cannabis markets linked to increased motor vehicle deaths

The legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes has been a topic of discussion in many countries worldwide. However, a new study has highlighted a concerning trend. A study conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago has linked legal cannabis markets to an increase in motor vehicle deaths.

The Study

The study conducted by the University of Illinois Chicago used death certificate data to compare mortality rates in states that legalized recreational cannabis dispensaries with states that only provided access to medical cannabis. The researchers focused on seven states that implemented legal recreational cannabis markets: Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. They collected data from death certificates from 2009-2019 on deaths in three areas that have previously been linked to cannabis use but are still poorly understood: motor vehicle accidents, suicide and opioid overdose.

Increase in Motor Vehicle Accidents

The data revealed that four of the seven states used in the study with legalized recreational markets saw a substantial increase in crash fatalities. The researchers found that recreational markets were associated with a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths on average. The results suggest that a potential unintended consequence of recreational markets is increased cannabis-intoxicated driving and crash deaths.

Recommendations

The findings suggest that states with legal recreational cannabis markets need to invest in policies and public health initiatives to mitigate this potential harm and build awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence. The study's first author, Samantha Marinello, said that policymakers should consider the potential benefits and harms when legalizing recreational cannabis markets. She also highlighted the need for policies focused on reducing driving under the influence of cannabis.

Impact on Other Areas

The researchers found no evidence that recreational markets impacted suicides, which is notable because cannabis use is associated with the development of depressive disorders and suicidality. However, for opioid overdose deaths, recreational markets were associated with an 11% reduction in fatalities, on average. Across all seven states, the reduction ranged from 3% to 28%. This reduction in opioid overdose fatalities is another potential area of impact that should be a factor in states considering legalization.

Journal Information: Samantha Marinello et al, The impact of recreational cannabis markets on motor vehicle accident, suicide, and opioid overdose fatalities, Social Science & Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115680