There has been a large amount of success around the “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign. While people still make the mistake of driving while drunk, the numbers have declined, and most people know they shouldn’t drive while under the influence of alcohol.

Unfortunately, there’s a new problem that has arisen, of which the majority of people are not aware. Nearly half of all drivers who died in automobile crashes in the last few years tested positive for active THC, averaging dangerously high levels. The high rate of THC positivity remained consistent over six years and was unaffected by whether or not the participant’s state legalized recreational cannabis during the study period.

The cultural perception of marijuana is that it is medicinal, natural, and not dangerous. Most consider it less addictive than many other illicit drugs and unlikely to create substantial impairment or behavior changes. Unfortunately, many of these ideas are not true because marijuana use has radically transformed between when parents were teens and now:

• More potent. Decades ago, a typical joint contained less than 4% THC. Nowadays, cannabis products are much more potent with THC concentrations ranging anywhere from 20% to 90%.
• Increased use. Adolescent cannabis use has increased by almost 300% in the last five years.
• Change in method. The most popular method of cannabis use is vaping. Research has shown that, compared with smoking a joint, vaping increased the symptoms of short-term anxiety, paranoia, memory loss and distraction when doses were the same.
• Increased marketing. Teens are being misled by marketers of cannabis products. Vaping offers products with lots of “fun” flavors and edibles are dressed up like health foods with bright colors, fruit imagery, and words like vegan. Sellers make cannabis products look fun, natural, and safe even when they’re not.

We need to get out the message to everyone that driving while under the influence of cannabis is not safe. It’s vitally important that parents take the time to talk to their teens about the importance of not using an automobile while using cannabis. Just like “don’t drink and drive” campaigns, parents should educate their teens on the dangers and risks of driving while using any drugs.

Final Thoughts…

Parents should always set clear expectations with their teens about drug use. Research consistently shows that parents are a powerful influence on their children’s likelihood to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Teens need to hear a consistent message from you that: 1) you expect them to avoid substance abuse so that they are prepared to say no when tempted, and 2) driving under the influence of ANY drug (alcohol, marijuana, etc.) is unacceptable.