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Australian researchers have found that even the highest doses of cannabidoil, also known as “CBD“, have “no impact” on a person’s cognitive ability while driving.
The findings come as part of a study by researchers at the University of Sydney, which found that those who had taken 1,500 milligrams of CBD, the highest daily dose of the commonly prescribed cannabis component, could drive as usual. , reaching a consensus with similar studies conducted around the world.
“Although CBD is generally considered ‘non-intoxicating,’ its effects on safety-sensitive tasks are still being established,” said lead author Dr. Danielle McCartney of the Lambert Therapy Initiative. of Cannabinoids from the University. “Our study is the first to confirm that, when consumed alone, CBD is safe for the driver.”
“Unlike THC, a cannabis component that can induce sedation, euphoria (a high) and deterioration, CBD does not appear to intoxicate people. Instead, it has been reported to have calming and pain-relieving effects.”
As part of the study, the researchers had 17 participants undergo simulated driving tasks after taking a placebo or 15, 300 or 1,500 milligrams of CBD oil, the three most commonly consumed doses prescribed by doctors. .
According to the study, participants were first asked to “keep a safe distance” between themselves and the vehicle in front of them, and then drive on simulated roads and rural roads, between 45 and 75 minutes after taking the treatment that were assigned to them.
Participants were then asked to drive again, about four hours later, to ensure that the range of plasma concentrations present at different times was fully covered. Each participant repeated this process under the influence of each of the four treatments, including placebo and different doses of CBD.
Whether or not participants had experienced some form of cognitive impairment was determined by the number of drivers who weaved or “diverted,” a “standardized” measure of driving ability, along with their general cognitive function and concentrations. of CBD in its plasma. .
The results found that none of the tested doses caused feelings of intoxication among participants and did not appear to impair their driving ability or cognitive performance.
“However, we note that this study only examined CBD in isolation and that drivers taking CBD with other medications should do so with caution,” Dr. McCartney said.
Australia is one of the many jurisdictions in the world where it is perfectly legal to drive while using CBD, as long as the drug is legally prescribed. In the state of New South Wales, for example, it is legal as long as a driver does not suffer “deterioration” as a result of fatigue or low blood pressure after using the substance.
This latest study from the University of Sydney joins a host of others like this one from around the world.
In 2020, researchers at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands reached similar conclusions. They conducted a similar study with 26 healthy participants who underwent driving tests after inhaling four types of vaporized cannabis containing various mixtures of CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
This study was one of the first of its kind to investigate the impacts of CBD use on driving ability and offered a promise to academics and policymakers around the world as cannabis medicinal products began. to gain popularity.
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