Medical News: New Alarming Data on Cannabis and Road Deaths
A new study has raised major safety concerns by revealing that more than 40 percent of drivers who died in car crashes had active cannabis compounds, specifically delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in their bloodstream at the time of death. Researchers from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, in collaboration with experts from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office and presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago, warned that the prevalence of THC-related fatalities has remained consistently high despite the legalization of recreational cannabis in many U.S. states.
Study Alarmingly Finds That Cannabis is Responsible for 40 Percent of Fatal Car Crashes
This Medical News report is based on the findings after the research team analyzed postmortem toxicology data from 246 deceased drivers in Montgomery County, Ohio, collected between January 2019 and September 2024. The findings paint a worrying picture of cannabis-impaired driving that has shown no signs of declining — even after legalization in 2023.
THC Levels Far Exceed Legal Limits
According to lead researcher Dr. Akpofure P. Ekeh, MBBS, FACS, a professor of surgery at Wright State University, the average THC concentration among the deceased drivers was a staggering 30.7 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) — well above the legal driving limit of 2 to 5 ng/mL established in most states. “This isn’t about residual traces from earlier use,” Dr. Ekeh explained. “An average level that high suggests recent marijuana use close to the time of driving.”
Key Study Findings Show Dangerous Consistency
The study found that 41.9 percent of the 246 drivers tested positive for THC, with annual positivity rates ranging from 25.7 percent to 48.9 percent. Importantly, the data showed no significant differences in THC positivity before and after legalization — 42.1 percent before 2023 and 45.2 percent afterward — indicating that legalization had no impact on reducing impaired driving behaviors. The high rates of cannabis-related deaths also remained steady throughout the entire six-year study period, underscoring a persistent public health crisis.
Cannabis Impairment and Public Safety
The researchers emphasized that THC affects coordination, reaction time, and judgment — key factors in safe driving. Coroners typically draw blood samples within hours of a fatal crash, making these THC readings a reliable indicator of impairment at the time of the collision. With THC levels averaging over six times the legal threshold, the study strongly suggests that cannabis intoxication was a major contributing factor in these deadly crashes.
Urgent Call for Public Awareness and Education
Dr. Ekeh and his team are urging policymakers and public health agencies to shift their focus toward education about the real dangers of driving while high. “The conversation around marijuana has been dominated by legalization and social acceptance,” he said. “But we’ve failed to communicate the serious risks. People need to treat marijuana like alcohol — if you consume it, don’t get behind the wheel.”
Final Insights
The study’s conclusions highlight a deeply concerning reality: cannabis-impaired driving is now a widespread and deadly problem, yet it receives far less public attention than alcohol impairment. Without stronger public education, stricter enforcement, and clear messaging about the consequences, experts warn that cannabis-related fatalities could continue to rise as legalization spreads.
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