Transportation officials in Colorado have released the findings of a study that asked cannabis users about their opinions on driving while under the influence of marijuana.According to Transportation Today, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently released the results of a two-year study meant to encourage discussion about cannabis-impaired driving and find better ways to warn users against the practice.The agency reportedly spoke with more than 18,000 Coloradans through surveys, public meetings and focus groups to determine the best way to spread their message. Sam Cole, CDOT traffic safety communications manager, told reporters, “We talked online and in-person to thousands of marijuana users across Colorado. We learned how different groups of people respond to different types of messages—and will use that knowledge to try to influence people to make smart choices. After all, there is no ‘typical’ marijuana consumer.”CDOT said that many cannabis users considered driving under the influence of marijuana to be less dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. However, they also said they consider driving conditions, level alertness and length of time since last using cannabis before deciding whether to drive.The agency said most users are unhappy with the current laws regarding driving under the influence of marijuana and want to see a more scientifically credible way to determine levels of intoxication.CDOT is creating a number of public service announcements utilizing the data collected from the study.NBA Suspends Drug TestingThe NBA will reportedly not be testing players for cannabis or any other recreational drugs for the rest of this season.Last week, The Athletic’s NBA analyst, Shams Charania, tweeted, “Sources: The NBA and NBPA have agreed to conduct performance-enhancing drug testing during resumed 2019-20 season in Orlando—but tests for recreational drugs will remain suspended.”As part of a temporary policy change, players have reportedly not been tested for cannabis since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league into an early hiatus. The NBA recently announced plans to resume the 2019 to 2020 season by bringing 22 teams to a Disney World bubble site in Orlando, although some players seem reluctant to return while the pandemic continues.It is unclear if the new drug-testing policy will stay in place after the bubble tournament. “It’s something that we are talking to Michele Roberts and the players association about, about what our policy should be,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters in 2019. “I think it’s not as much about what guys do in the summer … I do think there’s a little bit of concern about some of the pot smoking in-season.” The league will continue to test for performance-enhancing drugs.
Study Examines Cannabis-Impaired Driving
3 min read
