Abstract
T18 - Is Drowsiness After Cannabis Use Predictive of Magnitude of Driving Impairment
Drug and alcohol dependence, Vol.260(Supplement), 110467
07/01/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110467
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between acute cannabis use, drowsiness, and vehicle control.
Methods: This study used a within-subjects design (n=52). Subjects were administered cannabis (Placebo, 6.18% THC, 10.5% THC) via vaporized inhalation using the Volcano Digit. Driving performance was assessed approximately 2 hours post-inhalation on a simulated 35-minute drive that included urban, interstate, and rural driving. Drowsiness was assessed using the Stanford Sleepiness Scale just prior to driving. Sleepiness was defined as the highest two levels of responses. Self-reported frequency of cannabis use was dichotomized into more or less than weekly use.
Results: Cannabis use was associated with higher levels of self-reported drowsiness (p<.0001) for both active doses, with the highest levels at 6.18% THC. Standard deviation of lane position was affected by dose condition (p<.0001), frequency of cannabis use (p=.0342), and drowsiness (p=.0001). SDLP increased for both active doses, with 6.18% being greatest, and was greater for less frequent users and for the higher sleepiness group. Frequency of lane departures was most predicted by sleepiness group (p=.0030) and greater for the higher sleepiness group. The sleepy group departed the lane three times more frequently than the group that did not report feeling sleepy.
Conclusions: Sedation has an important impact on driving performance when evaluating cannabis users and their ability to control the vehicle. Individuals who experience strong sedating effects following cannabis use are most likely to have difficulty controlling the vehicle. The extent to which cannabis users experience sedation with use may have a significant impact on safe vehicle operation. This may assist in developing public safety messaging that advises those who experience sedating effects of the risks when performing safety critical tasks such as driving.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- T18 - Is Drowsiness After Cannabis Use Predictive of Magnitude of Driving Impairment
- Creators
- Timothy BrownThomas BurtRose SchmittGary GaffneyGary Milavetz
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Drug and alcohol dependence, Vol.260(Supplement), 110467
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110467
- ISSN
- 0376-8716
- eISSN
- 1879-0046
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V; CLARE
- Grant note
NIH/NIDA
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy; Psychiatry; Iowa Technology Institute; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Driving Safety Research Institute; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984656553802771
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