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FACT: Driving under the influence of marijuana – like driving under the
influence of alcohol or prescription drugs – is potentially
hazardous. As a result, it is currently illegal and will surely remain
that way even if marijuana is treated like alcohol. That said, it should be noted that no compelling evidence suggesting that marijuana is even remotely as problematic as alcohol when it comes to individuals driving under the influence. In particular, marijuana has not been found to contribute
substantially to traffic accidents, as alcohol undoubtedly does.
Whereas alcohol use tends to produce car-handling impairment and
increase risky driving practices, marijuana use does not produce
substantial car-handling impairment and typically makes drivers more
cautious. This is probably why we hear about alcohol-related accidents
all the time, but rarely hear about accidents attributed solely to
marijuana. Ultimately, our society could better address the problems associated with people driving while impaired by allowing law enforcement officials to stop spending time worrying about adults simply using or possessing
marijuana – a drug less harmful than alcohol – and instead spend
it looking for dangerous drivers.
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