Blood tests for THC in drivers are nonsensical, study claims
- Testing drivers for THC is highly problematic
- Study results show that driving while talking on hands-free is twice as dangerous as driving under the influence of cannabis
One of the largest automobile clubs in the USA, AAA (American Automobile Association) strongly criticizes legislation related to blood testing drivers for THC. "These tests are nonsensical and not supported by any scientific basis". The club's safety commission therefore decided to conduct its own study. Their resulting statement is as follows:
"Reliably determining a THC threshold, the psychoactive molecule of cannabis, that would negatively affect driving ability through blood tests is impossible."
Laws in states like Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania condemn those who exceed the legal value and release those under the threshold. As a result, drivers are wrongly convicted who were completely sober while driving and only had residual THC levels in their blood, which could be remnants from the previous week.
The AAA safety commission now proposes that these tests be replaced by specialized road police who can determine whether a driver is negatively influenced or not, and only after testing for THC presence at that moment instead of in the blood. Police officers should be able to assess the driver's condition based on indicators such as tongue color, pupil dilation, and suspicious behavior.
Marshall Doney, president and CEO of AAA, comments on the situation: "Of course, there is a demand for law changes from both legislators and the public. Mainly, introducing laws similar to those we apply in cases of drunk driving. The main problem with the current approach to marijuana and driving is that it is not backed by any scientific research."
Determining with absolute precision whether a driver is under the influence of cannabis at the moment of control is much more complex than with traditional alcohol. The testing method we use to determine intoxication for cannabis simply doesn't work. For example, a driver can be completely sober at the moment of control, and the test will still come back positive.
Drunk Vs "Stoned" Driver
Currently, there are no study results that would indicate what THC blood level is sufficient to negatively affect driving ability. Another problem is that more experienced cannabis users can have a much higher THC blood level and still function perfectly behind the wheel, while a less experienced user may have a sub-threshold THC level and still be a threat on the road.
Moreover, some drivers may be under the influence when stopped by police, but active THC may have evaporated from the blood before a blood sample is taken at the station or hospital - the entire process usually takes longer than two hours.
Not to mention that some regular users may have a constant THC level in their blood despite being completely sober.
"Current laws make absolutely no sense. Simply put, to be absolutely sure you're within the law, you shouldn't either smoke cannabis at all or simply never sit behind the wheel." says Mark A. R. Kleiman, a New York University professor specializing in drugs and criminal law. Kleiman also suggests that instead of a new law discussed by the AAA foundation, it would be sufficient to make THC detection in blood a traffic violation.
Driving Under the Influence of "Marijuana"
Kleiman further highlights that some existing studies show approximately doubling the chances of an accident for drivers under the influence of cannabis. However, he compares this finding with the fact that driving while talking on hands-free increases the risk of an accident fourfold.
"The risks of driving under the influence of cannabis are comparable to driving a car with a crying child screaming at you from the back seat," Kleiman describes.
The only exception, according to Kleiman, is a driver who is under the influence of both cannabis and alcohol. In such a case, the risk multiplies dramatically, as the combination of these two substances significantly reduces driving ability.
Translation: Filip Maral
Source: leafly.com
Images: wp.com thcnetwork.co