%0 Journal Article
%T Medical marijuana laws and driving under the influence of marijuana and alcohol
%J Addiction
%D 2020
%A Fink, David S.
%A Stohl, Malki
%A Sarvet, Aaron L.
%A Cerdá, Magdalena
%A Keyes, Katherine M.
%A Hasin, Deborah S.
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Medical marijuana law (MML) enactment in the US has been associated with increased cannabis use but lower traffic fatality rates. We assessed the possible association of MML and individual-level driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC), and also under the influence of alcohol (DUIA). DESIGN AND SETTING: Three cross-sectional U.S. adult surveys: The National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES; 1991-1992), the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; 2001-2002), and the NESARC-III (2012-2013). PARTICIPANTS: The total n was 118,497: 41,764, 41,184 and 35,549 from NLAES, NESARC, and NESARC-III. MEASUREMENTS: Across the three surveys, similar questions in the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule assessed DUIC and DUIA. Ever-MML states enacted MML between 1991-1992 and 2012-2013 (overall period). Early-MML states enacted MML between 1991-1992 and 2001-2002 (early period). Late-MML states enacted MML between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013 (late period). MML effects on change in DUIC and DUIA prevalence were estimated using a difference-in-differences specification to compare changes in MML and other states. <br><br>FINDINGS: From 1991-1992 to 2012-2013, DUIC prevalence nearly doubled (from 1.02% to 1.92%), increasing more in states that enacted MML than other states (difference-in-differences [DiD]=0.59%; 95%CI=0.06%-1.12%). Most change in DUIC prevalence occurred between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. DUIC prevalence increased more in states that enacted MML 2001-2002 to 2012-2013 than in never-MML states (DiD=0.77%; 95%CI= -0.05%-1.59%), and in two early-MML states, California (DiD=0.82; 95%CI=0.06-1.59) and Colorado (DiD=1.32; 95%CI=0.11-2.53). In contrast, DUIA prevalence appeared unrelated to MML enactment. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Medical marijuana law enactment in US states appears to have been associated with increased prevalence of driving under the influence of cannabis, but not alcohol.  Keywords: Cannabis impaired driving, Ethanol impaired driving <br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 0965-2140
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/add.15031