Impact of Cannabis Edibles Combined With Alcohol on Driving, Field Sobriety Performance, and Subjective Effects

How do oral cannabis edibles, when ingested alone and with alcohol, impact simulated driving, behavioral performance, and subjective effects?In this crossover trial of 25 adults, coadministration of edibles and alcohol produced greater driving impairment and subjective intoxication than either substance alone. Driving impairment from cannabis plus alcohol at 0.05% breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) matched or exceeded impairment from alcohol alone at 0.08% BrAC (the US legal intoxication limit). Cannabis, alone or with alcohol (at 0.05% BrAC), did not significantly impair field sobriety test performance.These findings suggest a need for public education about augmented driving impairment from cannabis and alcohol co-use and for improved roadside impairment detection methods.

Corresponding Author: Tory R. Spindle, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Dr, Baltimore, MD 21224 (tspindle@jhmi.edu).

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