A qualitative exploration of the management of impaired driving in medicinal cannabis patients
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Abstract
This study aimed to identify the strategies that medicinal cannabis patients employ to manage the risk of impaired driving, and the aetiological factors that influence the use of these strategies. A sample of medicinal cannabis patients (N = 58) from Queensland, Australia, participated in qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that medicinal cannabis patients employ a variety of strategies to mitigate impaired driving risk, despite commonly reporting driving after the recent use of cannabis. These strategies included the subjective assessment of impairment, waiting a specific post-consumption time-period, regulating cannabis consumption and driving behaviour, and adjusting on-road driving behaviour. Perceptions of safety, deterrence mechanisms, knowledge, and the perceived right and need to drive all influenced the extent and type of risk management undertaken. The implications of these findings for policy, enforcement, and future research surrounding medicinal cannabis and driving are discussed.
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