| Publication Abstract Display |
| Type: Published Manuscript |
| Title: Driving and cannabis use: A questionnaire about knowledge and behaviors after the legalization of recreational cannabis in California. |
| Authors: Baird S, Ageze D, Hill LL, Hacker S, Dell''''Acqua R, Gold A, Lanin-Kettering I, Shaughnessy T, Marcotte TD |
| Year: 2025 |
| Publication: BMC Public Health |
| Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Pages: 3219 |
| Abstract:Background Implemented in 2018, Proposition 64: The Adult Use of Marijuana Act legalized recreational cannabis
use in California. This study aimed to assess driving-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors after the passage of
Proposition 64.
Methods An initial questionnaire was completed by 15,208 participants demographically matched to the 2020
California census. A subset of 4,020 participants who currently use cannabis, 523 who formerly used cannabis, and 635
who never used cannabis completed a detailed mixed qualitative and quantitative questionnaire, including questions
about driving which were selected for this sub-analysis. Chi-square analysis was utilized for descriptive analysis. For
this study "cannabis" was defined as THC-containing products.
Results 62% of current cannabis users were aware that drivers and passengers cannot smoke or ingest cannabis in a
moving vehicle, and 59% were aware that any container of cannabis inside a moving vehicle must be unopened and
sealed. 74% knew that you could get a citation for driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). 64% of participants
reported feeling safe to drive 3 h or less after inhalation of flower products and 55 % felt safe to drive 5 h or less after
consumption of edible cannabis products. 13% reported that the passage of Proposition 64 increased their Likelihood
of DUIC. Those with lower knowledge of Prop 64 driving related regulations were more likely to ever have been pulled
over or involved in a crash while under the influence of cannabis.
Conclusions Six years after legalization implementation, there remains mixed awareness of driving-related
regulations among people who currently use cannabis. Lower knowledge of regulation was associated with an
increase in adverse driving outcomes. Effective messaging to increase knowledge of regulations, duration of
intoxication, and promotion of safe driving behaviors is an essential step for promoting public safety after the legalization of cannabis. |