Researchers at the CU Anschutz School of Public Health have embarked on a paid study focusing on marijuana users to examine impairment levels. Over the past two years, the research has involved more than 200 participants aged between 25 and 55 years. Depending on the amount of marijuana consumed, each study session can last anywhere from three to five hours.
Dr. Ashley Brooks-Russell, a lead researcher at the school, explained, “This study allows us to observe the changes people experience after consuming cannabis, including alterations in driving behavior, reaction times, memory, blood composition and eye characteristics. Police officers, in particular, often examine eye changes as a sign of impairment during traffic stops.”
Brooks-Russell highlighted that cannabis impairment remains a significant issue, contributing to crashes and traffic stops. Unlike other drugs, detecting marijuana impairment is challenging due to the lack of straightforward tools for law enforcement. “We’re particularly interested in how daily cannabis users differ from occasional users. Many people use cannabis for medical reasons and develop tolerance, showing fewer changes compared to those who use it sporadically,” she added.
Participants are placed in a controlled environment during the study, where they consume high-concentration marijuana products such as edibles, dabs or vape pens. Once the substance takes effect, researchers conduct blood tests, administer various assessments on an iPad and evaluate participants’ driving abilities using a simulator. The driving simulator is not designed to measure one’s driving skill but rather to observe any negative changes in driving ability due to cannabis use.
The researchers have observed subtle driving impairments among occasional recreational marijuana users, such as weaving in traffic, delayed reaction times, memory lapses and eye changes.
“Our focus is currently on cannabis alone, but there’s potential to expand the study to include cannabis in combination with other substances. In real-world scenarios, people often use multiple substances that affect different brain parts, leading to varied effects. Understanding these interactions is crucial,” noted Dr. Brooks-Russell.
Additionally, the study aims to involve adults 65 years of age and older, because this demographic is experiencing the fastest growth in cannabis use. “In this age group, there are added complexities, like other medications they may be taking and normal cognitive decline associated with aging,” Brooks-Russell explained.
Ultimately, this research aims to develop a tool, similar to an alcohol breathalyzer, which could assist law enforcement in accurately detecting cannabis impairment and enhancing road safety. The entire cannabis industry, including established companies, such as Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED), is likely to take an interest in this ongoing study and any actionable outcomes that may result upon its conclusion.
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