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Cannabis users could still be impaired up to 10 hours after they have taken the drug, a new report has revealed. Analysis carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney identified a “window of impairment” for how long people were still intoxicated on the cannabis component THC after using the substance. Depending on the strength of the dose and how the cannabis was consumed, people are likely to be impaired for between three and 10 hours. The report, based on analysis of 80 scientific studies, found those who smoked cannabis were impaired for a shorter amount of time compared to those who took THC orally. The study’s lead author Dr Danielle McCartney said the findings could have significant consequences for drug-driving laws. “Unlike alcohol, where blood-alcohol concentration correlates with impairment, there has no been simple correlation between THC levels and impairment,” Dr McCartney said. “We found impairment subsides between a three- and 10-hour window, depending on the context [in] which the cannabis is consumed, and that gives us a measure of how long it takes to recover. “THC is known to acutely impair driving and cognitive performance, but many users are unsure how long [it needs to be before] they can resume safety-sensitive tasks such as driving after cannabis consumption.” READ MORE: While the study identified how long cannabis users could be impaired for, the drug is known for being picked up on drug-driving tests as long as several days after it was used. Report co-author Iain McGregor said while tests were able to pick up cannabis in the body weeks after consumption, impairment from the drug lasted a much shorter amount of time. “Our legal frameworks probably need to catch up with that and, as with alcohol, focus on the interval when users are more of a risk to themselves and others,” Professor McGregor said. “Prosecution solely on the basis of the presence of THC in blood or saliva is manifestly unjust.” The ACT legalised possession of cannabis up to 50 grams in January 2020, and allowed residents to legally be able to grow two cannabis plants, up to four plants per household. Since the introduction of those laws, ACT police have recorded 470 positive drug-driving tests where THC was involved, which made up more than half the number of positive roadside drug tests. Of the 470 positive cases, 41 per cent of those were for THC only, with the rest being made up of THC with a combination of other drugs. An ACT Policing spokesman said drug-driving offences have remained stable since the introduction of the new cannabis laws. “ACT Policing has not identified any significant issues in implementing the ACT government’s new cannabis laws,” the spokesman said. “Like alcohol, drugs impair your ability to drive and greatly increase your risk of being involved in a serious collision. “ACT Policing strongly discourages drivers using any substance that impairs their ability to safely control a vehicle and then driving on a road in the ACT.” It is still an offence under current legislation to be driving with drugs such as cannabis in your system. Dr McCartney said the new cannabis information would prove to be valuable for future legislation in the area. “This is all about allowing people to make informed decisions and to develop public health advice that’s evidence-based,” she said. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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Cannabis users could still be impaired up to 10 hours after they have taken the drug, a new report has revealed.
Analysis carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney identified a “window of impairment” for how long people were still intoxicated on the cannabis component THC after using the substance.
Depending on the strength of the dose and how the cannabis was consumed, people are likely to be impaired for between three and 10 hours.
The report, based on analysis of 80 scientific studies, found those who smoked cannabis were impaired for a shorter amount of time compared to those who took THC orally.
The study’s lead author Dr Danielle McCartney said the findings could have significant consequences for drug-driving laws.
“Unlike alcohol, where blood-alcohol concentration correlates with impairment, there has no been simple correlation between THC levels and impairment,” Dr McCartney said.
“We found impairment subsides between a three- and 10-hour window, depending on the context [in] which the cannabis is consumed, and that gives us a measure of how long it takes to recover.
“THC is known to acutely impair driving and cognitive performance, but many users are unsure how long [it needs to be before] they can resume safety-sensitive tasks such as driving after cannabis consumption.”
While the study identified how long cannabis users could be impaired for, the drug is known for being picked up on drug-driving tests as long as several days after it was used.
Report co-author Iain McGregor said while tests were able to pick up cannabis in the body weeks after consumption, impairment from the drug lasted a much shorter amount of time.
“Our legal frameworks probably need to catch up with that and, as with alcohol, focus on the interval when users are more of a risk to themselves and others,” Professor McGregor said.
“Prosecution solely on the basis of the presence of THC in blood or saliva is manifestly unjust.”
Since the introduction of those laws, ACT police have recorded 470 positive drug-driving tests where THC was involved, which made up more than half the number of positive roadside drug tests.
Of the 470 positive cases, 41 per cent of those were for THC only, with the rest being made up of THC with a combination of other drugs.
An ACT Policing spokesman said drug-driving offences have remained stable since the introduction of the new cannabis laws.
“ACT Policing has not identified any significant issues in implementing the ACT government’s new cannabis laws,” the spokesman said.
“Like alcohol, drugs impair your ability to drive and greatly increase your risk of being involved in a serious collision.
“ACT Policing strongly discourages drivers using any substance that impairs their ability to safely control a vehicle and then driving on a road in the ACT.”
It is still an offence under current legislation to be driving with drugs such as cannabis in your system.
Dr McCartney said the new cannabis information would prove to be valuable for future legislation in the area.
“This is all about allowing people to make informed decisions and to develop public health advice that’s evidence-based,” she said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
