"Sometimes marijuana can kill, not by overdose, but when people drive under the influence of THC. Recent research analyzed coroner records in Montgomery County, Ohio, from January 2019 through September 2024 to identify THC, the psychoactive drug derived from cannabis, in drivers in fatal crashes. Shockingly, close to half (42%) of the drivers killed in crashes tested positive for THC in the blood."
"Because these are coroner-drawn blood samples (typically within hours of death), the THC levels reflected usage close in time to the crash (recent ingestion). The most important result was the high prevalence of THC positivity in fatal crashes; 103 out of 246 drivers (41.9%) tested positive for active THC. The researchers also found that the THC concentrations in blood were very high. Among the THC-positive cases, the average concentration was 30.7 ng/mL, a blood level well above impairment thresholds, often 2- 5 ng/mL."
Coroner records from Montgomery County, Ohio (January 2019–September 2024) show that 103 of 246 deceased drivers (41.9%) had active THC detected in blood. Coroner-drawn blood samples are typically collected within hours of death, indicating recent ingestion. Average THC concentration among positives was 30.7 ng/mL, far above common impairment thresholds of 2–5 ng/mL. THC impairs coordination, visual function, and attention for several hours after use. High-THC products, vaping, and concurrent use with alcohol or other drugs increase driving danger. Presence of THC does not prove causation, and lack of control groups and missing data on nonfatal crashes limit generalizability. Findings remain preliminary pending peer review.
Read at Psychology Today
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