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Study: More than half of Michigan medical marijuana users admit to driving while high

Posted at 10:25 AM, Jan 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-10 22:40:02-05

(WXYZ) — More than half of medical marijuana users in Michigan reported that they've driven under the influence of cannabis within two hours of using, according to a new study published in the journal Drug & Alcohol Dependence.

One in five said they drove while "very high" at least once in the past six months, according to researchers from the University of Michigan Addiction Center.

Nearly 270,000 people in the state of Michigan have state approval to use medical marijuana, as of May 2018.

Researchers surveyed 790 medical cannabis users in Michigan. Fifty-six percent reported driving within two hours of using cannabis, 51 percent reported they drove while "a little high" and 21 percent reported driving while "very high."

Assistant professor of psychiatry and practicing clinical psychologist Erin Bonar said in a UM Health Lab release that the results are troubling.

Bonar said in the release that when people drive under the influence of marijuana their reaction time and coordination may be slowed down and they could have a harder time reacting to the unexpected.

For more on the study, click here.