Groundbreaking 18-month study will explore the effects of medicinal cannabis on driving performance, aiming to balance public safety with patients’ needs.
Victoria has officially launched a pioneering driving trial to assess whether individuals who use medicinal cannabis can drive safely. The trial, organized by the Allan Labor Government, is being conducted at METEC Driver Training in Bayswater, and is supported by $4.9 million in government funding. Researchers from Swinburne University of Technology will examine how THC—the active component in medicinal cannabis—affects driving capabilities, focusing on key factors such as reaction time, focus, and vehicle control.
Details of the Medicinal Cannabis Driving Study
This unique 18-month study is set to test participants on a closed circuit, designed to replicate real-world driving conditions without the risk posed to public roads. The trial will later expand to a second site in Anglesea. The program’s goal is to provide insight into how medicinal cannabis impacts drivers’ performance in a controlled environment, addressing the needs of patients who rely on cannabis for chronic pain, sleep disorders, or mental health conditions.
To qualify, participants must have been prescribed medicinal cannabis for at least six months. They will undergo a series of pre- and post-drive drug impairment screenings, which will allow researchers to monitor THC levels and correlate them with driving performance.
A Comprehensive Look at Driving Performance
The trial will involve various driving tests, assessing participants’ abilities in steering, braking, speed control, and response to distractions. A licensed driving instructor will accompany each participant, with access to dual controls for added safety. Professor Luke Downey, the lead researcher from Swinburne University’s Drugs and Driving Research Unit, explained that the vehicles have been customized to simulate real-world conditions as closely as possible.
“We’ve made significant strides in the articulation of our research vehicles, which are specifically designed to assess driving performance in real-world conditions,” said Professor Downey.
Researchers hope to capture a comprehensive view of how medicinal cannabis affects driving, offering much-needed data to guide policy on medicinal cannabis use and road safety.
Driving Under Medicinal Cannabis: Balancing Safety and Patients’ Rights
The issue of driving while using medicinal cannabis has been a contentious one, with many patients concerned about the restrictions placed on their mobility due to their treatment. Medicinal cannabis is legally prescribed for various conditions, and yet its impact on driving abilities remains largely uncharted.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, highlighted the importance of this research in understanding the relationship between medicinal cannabis and driving safety.
“In a world-first trial, we have kicked off the first drive to gain a greater understanding of the effects of medicinal cannabis on driving in Victoria,” Horne stated.
How Will the Trial Impact Future Driving Policies?
This trial could potentially lead to new guidelines around driving under the influence of medicinal cannabis, a topic of growing interest as more patients turn to cannabis for health reasons. Unlike alcohol, where blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits offer a clear legal framework, THC levels are harder to correlate directly with impairment, due to variations in tolerance and individual metabolism. This trial seeks to bridge that gap by providing data that could eventually inform both legislation and patient rights.
Safeguards for Participants and Researchers
Given the potential risks, safety protocols are rigorous. Each driver will be closely monitored, with dual-control vehicles allowing instructors to intervene if necessary. The courses at both Bayswater and Anglesea ensure a realistic driving experience without the dangers posed to other road users, providing an ideal environment to study cannabis’ effects on driving.
