Cannabis and driving

A Swiss research report studying the effects of the THC in cannabis on the psychomotor function and driving performance indicates that quite low levels of THC can adversely affect cannabis users.

The clinical trials of recreational cannabis users showed that the low doses of THC brought on psychosis as well as negatively impacting on driving skills.

The cannabis users developed severe anxiety within an hour of taking the low levels of oral THC then went on to display symptoms of psychosis as well as being unable to perform psychometric tests and driving functions.

The trial conducted by the Institut Universitaire de Medicine Legale in Lausanne Switzerland also found that oral administration of cannabis produced higher levels of THC with slower elimination of the THC from the human body.

The study warned that cannabis ingested through food and drinks or in medications could result in significant psychotic reactions.

(Source: Reuters Health 1 April 2004)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

In Australia cannabis is the most used illicit drug with most ingestion of the THC in cannabis through smoking.

The warning of significant psychosis and severe anxiety from quite low doses of THC reinforces the policy of elimination of harm for cannabis users and programs of abstinence to a drug free state.

Cannabis users should be directed into detoxification and rehabilitation programs so as to reduce the increasing number of cannabis users.

These detoxification and rehabilitation programs for cannabis users do not exist in Australia, but are available overseas.