Table 5.
Studies related to the legalization of recreational and medicinal cannabis and its decriminalization: country, sample, and most relevant variables.
| Article | Country (State)/Years | Sample Size | Study Group | Variables | Data Collected/Detection Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benedetti et al. (2021) [42] | U.S. (2013–2017). | CR illegal: N = 10,294 drivers; CR legal: N = 876 drivers. MC illegal: N = 5782 drivers; MC legal: N = 5388 drivers. |
Drivers | Marijuana use while driving in the last year. States with the legalization of MM, MM, and MR or no legalization of both. Marijuana policy. Sociodemographic variables. TSCI is a nationally representative annual survey. |
Self-reported. |
| Kruse et al. (2021) [44] | U.S. (Arizona, California, Ohio, Oregon, New Jersey, and Texas) Pre-legalization: 2006–2012. Post-legalization: 2013–2018. |
Not specified | Patients with trauma | Vehicle collisions. THC-positive patients and alcohol-positive patients > 0.08 g/dL). | Data from different universities. Urine and blood analysis. |
| Woo et al. (2019) [8] | U.S. (Washington) (2008–2016). | N = 10,155 accidents and 5931 drivers. THC > 5.00 = 4.2%, THC <5 = 3.1%, Clean 92.6%. BAC > 0.08 = 19.2%, BAC <0.08 = 3.5%, Clean 77.3%. | Drivers | Fatal accidents. Speeding and driver error. THC (<5 ng/mL in blood or >5 ng/mL). Carboxy-THC. Alcohol (0.08 less or more). Control variables. Environmental Contexts. | FARS. Blood tested. |
| Keric et al. (2018) [45] | U.S. (Texas and California) (2006–2012). | N = 127 Surgeons. UTHSCSA center: patients traffic accidents N = 7171. Alcohol+ 21%, THC+ 4%, alcohol and THC+ 3%. Center in California: N = 16,084, alcohol+ 50%, THC+ 23%, alcohol and THC+ 7%. |
Surgeons and patients | Alcohol (>0.08 g/dL). Marijuana (>50 ng/mL in Texas and >100 ng/mL in California). Injuries related to traffic accidents. Decriminalization in CA in 2010. Electronic survey completed by the members of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. | Trauma center registries at The University of California Irvine and UTHSCSA. |
| Lee et al. (2018) [43] | U.S. (16 states) (2008–2015). | Number of accidents involving cannabis in states with law changes. Before, N = 1458. After, N = 938. | Drivers | Types of states according to cannabis legalization and decriminalization laws. | FARS. |
| Hamzeie et al. (2017) [46] | U.S. (50 states and District of Columbia) (2010–2014). | THC+: N = 9301 drivers THC−: N = 65,332 drivers |
Drivers | States with legalization and decriminalization laws and states with no such laws. Driver, accident, and vehicle characteristics. THC+ and THC−. | FARS. |
| Pollini et al. (2015) [47] | U.S. (California). (2008–2012). | (2008–2010): N = 1718; THC+ N = 203 (2011–2012): N = 1142; THC+ N = 175 |
Drivers | Detection of cannabis use in drivers involved in traffic accidents. Decriminalization period: 2011–2012. No decriminalization period: 2008–2010. | FARS. |
| Couper and Peterson (2014) [48] | U.S. (Washington, D.C.) (2009–2013) | N = 25,179, age 14–85 years old. Median age 25 years pre-legalization and 26 years post-legalization. | Drivers | Detection of THC consumption. (Pre-legalization THC+ 0.2 ng/mL, carboxy-THC of 0.10 ng/mL). Pre-legalization: 2009–2012. Post-legalization: 2013. | Blood tested |
Note: FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System database).