Assessing the impact of cannabis use on freeway driving performance and practices: A comparative analysis with placebo and alcohol-influenced driving

The objectives of this study were 1) to identify the effects cannabis has on driving performance and individual motor practices when on the freeway compared to placebo and 2) to bring context to the effects of cannabis on driving by comparing effect sizes to those of alcohol. Data for analysis was collected from a study of fifty-three participants with a history of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis use who completed three visits in randomized order (placebo (0% THC), 6.18% THC, and 10.5% THC). Data for the alcohol analysis was from a subset of eighteen of these participants with a history of recent alcohol use that completed a fourth alcohol visit that targeted a .05 g/210L breath alcohol content (BrAC) during the drive. Comparisons were made using an analysis of variance approach with the SAS General Linear Models Procedure. Cohen’s <i>d</i> effect sizes were calculated for the cannabis and alcohol conditions relative to placebo for both the full sample and alcohol subset. Standard deviation of lane position (SDLP) for cannabis significantly increased compared to placebo and the effect size was comparable to that of alcohol at .05 BrAC. Lane departures for cannabis significantly increased relative to placebo as did the time out of the lane. Cannabis use resulted in an increased amount of time at 10% or more below the speed limit for the 6.18% THC condition. Relative to alcohol, cannabis produced more time at slower speeds and less time at speeds more than 10% above the speed limit. Multiple factors of lateral and longitudinal vehicle control on the freeway showed statistical significance. Drivers under the influence of cannabis exhibited higher rates of driving errors but also showed more cautious behaviors such as generally lower speeds on the freeway. Compared with alcohol, effect sizes varied. For longitudinal control, there were larger effect sizes for alcohol with speed effects in opposite directions, but relatively equivalent effect sizes for lateral control and driving errors associated with lane keeping.