Marijuana's risk to drivers debated

[mike_c]

76. this whole debate demonstrates the damage that alcohol abuse has done to society....

The question of whether or not one can operate a vehicle safely after using cannabis is dictated almost entirely by nearly a century's experience with driving under the influence of alcohol. The underlying assumption is that users are "impaired" and therefore that any cannabis use increases the risk of accidents and makes driving less safe for everyone. That fundamental assumption has not thus far been borne out by reality-- in the few instances where effects on driving have been properly studied, cannabis shows little threat to public safety on the roads-- yet "driving while impaired" has become a social meme around the world, nearly always by comparison with alcohol abuse. And while the plural of anecdote might not be data, there are many, many anecdotal accounts of drivers who become super careful and attentive while stoned, rather than reckless and lacking judgment.

So far I think this whole discussion is mostly a solution, looking for a problem that really doesn't exist much. And just another smoke screen by those who profit the most from the war on drugs.