More than half of marijuana consumers in a recent study said they drive while high.
For the first time, AAA analyzed those consumers' thoughts, perceptions and reasons for driving under the influence. What they found is terrifying for anyone who’s on the road. Not only did the study find that 57.8% indicated that they drive high daily, the study also found 46.9% believe they drive the same.
“And 35% said they think they drive better when they're high,” said Elizabeth Carey, director of public relations for AAA of Western and Central New York.
Carey says the consumers they spoke to are everyday people.
“[They were] of any age that are using marijuana because it is legal to do so,” Carey said.
Carey says the age group seeing the most increase in using marijuana is 55 to 65-year-olds. New York State Police have a message for those users, what you’re smoking is stronger.
“Your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s marijuana vegetated, you are looking at a THC level of about 10%," said Trooper James O’Callaghan, the Troop A public information officer. "Currently, you're looking at 30 to 40% THC,” O’Callaghan said.
Trooper O’Callaghan says when you take concentrated marijuana, it can be 90% THC.
“Now you're looking at five to possibly 20 hours before you should get behind the wheel,” he said.
But, according to AAA’s study, 84.8% of consumers said that they drive the same day, with 53% saying they consumed marijuana an hour or less before driving. For edibles, which can take 45 minutes to set in, O’Callaghan says it could be up to 15 hours before you should drive.
Even with campaigns and messaging between 2023 and 2024, state police saw higher numbers.
“An 11% increase in DWI drug use, and then we have a 25% increase on DWI intoxicated by alcohol,” O’Callaghan said.
Marijuana impacts every user differently. O’Callaghan says they test depth perception. They’ll ask drivers to step up on a curb.
“They will raise their knee so high,” O’Callaghan explained.
They drive slower, too.
“Because everything's happening at a very different pace in their mind than everyone else's,” O’Callaghan said.
Putting people in danger. Carey says we know not to drink and drive. Driving while high is just as dangerous.
“We just want to make sure we get the point across that if you feel different, you drive differently,” Carey said. “So it's not safe to get behind the wheel when you're high.”
Also to note, like alcohol, it is illegal to smoke and drive, the same goes for your passengers.
When the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety did a study on users, it also did a complementary study on how to develop messages that might deter this behavior in the future. What they found is the cannabis industry’s voice needs to be heard.
Around 38.6% said they would trust messaging about cannabis use and safe driving from cannabis industry groups. About 37.3% said they would trust cannabis brands and or companies.