Tag Archive: marijuana
Fewer Colorado Teens See Pot As Risky
August 18, 2014
Fewer teens, in the first survey taken since Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana, see pot as a risky drug. Researchers can’t connect the legalization of pot to the change in attitudes but they say it isn’t helping. Read more: Fewer Colorado Teens Believe Marijuana is a Risky Drug to Use
Marijuana An Increasing Factor In Fatal Crashes
June 11, 2014
Columbia University researchers studying almost 24,000 driving fatalities determined that marijuana use was a factor in 12% of fatal crashes in 2010; a rate three times higher than a decade ago. Read more: Marijuana playing larger role in fatal crashes
Students Who Wouldn’t Drive Drunk Don’t Mind Driving Stoned
May 14, 2014
A recent survey conducted by two Washington State universities and published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals some disturbing information on teens when it comes to driving stoned. While far fewer would drive drunk or ride in a car with a drunk driver, the survey shows that at least 44% of males and 9% of females reported driving after using marijuana and over 51 percent of males and nearly 35 percent of females reported getting in a car with a driver who was high on marijuana. Read more: College Freshmen Drive and Get in Cars with Drivers After Marijuana Use
Combined Alcohol-Marijuana Use More Dangerous Than Either Alone
May 1, 2014
In one of those studies that should seem to be a no-brainer, researchers have found that the combined use of alcohol and marijuana is more dangerous for teen drivers than the use of either of the drugs alone. Teens who combine the two drugs get more traffic tickets and are involved in crashes at a higher rate than users of just marijuana or alcohol.
With the push to legalize marijuana throughout the country, teens may be getting the false message that marijuana is a harmless drug. They need to be reminded that, even though it may be legal in some states, it is still illegal to drive while under the effects of the drug. Combining marijuana and alcohol means adding one depressant to another and leads to a synergistic effect where the effects of the two drugs are combined are more powerful.