Can Marijuana Prevent Car Accidents?

A study of US marijuana laws has found that legalizing medical marijuana may mean less drunk diving.

An independent research institute has found a correlation between legalizing medical marijuana and a reduction in fatal car crashes. Using data from 13 states, researchers found that states which had legalized medical marijuana had 9% fewer fatal car accidents, even controlling for driving laws and habits. The team attributed the difference to a reduction in drunk driving, noting that particularly amongst men, drivers were far less likely to drive drunk when they could smoke pot instead. The study also suggested that where medical marijuana was legal, teenagers were no more likely to smoke it, though adults were a different story. The study has been published but not yet peer-reviewed.