GITNUXREPORT 2026

Marijuana-Related Car Crash Statistics

Rising THC levels detected in drivers correlate with increased fatal crash risks.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Males aged 18-24 comprise 42% of marijuana-related fatal crash drivers per NHTSA 2020 FARS

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In Colorado 2021, 65% of THC-positive fatal drivers were male, average age 32.4 years, CDPHE

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Washington 2022: 58% under 35 in cannabis crash deaths, 72% male, WSDOT

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California 2020: 38% of marijuana MVCs involved 16-24 year olds, 61% Hispanic drivers, DMV

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Oregon 2019: 55% male, 29% aged 25-34 in THC fatalities, ODOT

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Nevada 2021: 68% male drivers in cannabis DUIs crashes, avg age 28

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Canada 2020: 73% male in drug-impaired fatalities, 18-34 peak 49%, Transport Canada

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Michigan 2022: 62% white males under 30 in THC crashes, MSP

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Illinois 2021: 41% African American drivers in urban marijuana crashes, IDPH

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New York 2020: 52% males 18-29, 35% minority in THC positives, NYSDMV

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Alaska 2019: 77% male, rural Native Alaskans 22% overrepresented, ADPS

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Vermont 2022: 59% male aged 20-39, UVM hospital data

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Maine 2021: 64% white males 25-44 in fatal THC crashes, MaineDOT

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New Mexico 2020: 66% Hispanic males under 35, NMDOT

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Arizona 2022: 69% male, 31% Native American overrep in cannabis crashes, AZDPS

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Montana 2019: 71% male rural drivers aged 18-34, MHP

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Ohio 2021: 57% males 21-30, 28% suburban crashes, OHSO

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Pennsylvania 2020: 63% white males 25-44 THC positives, PennDOT

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Florida 2022: 60% males 18-34, 42% Hispanic in S Florida, FHP

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Texas 2019: 67% male Hispanic drivers under 30 marijuana crashes, TxDPS

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Georgia 2021: 55% black males 20-39 urban crashes, GDOT

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North Carolina 2020: 62% males 25-34, rural overrep 35%, NCDOT

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Virginia 2022: 58% males NoVA suburbs 18-29, VDOT

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Massachusetts 2019: 56% males Boston area 21-35, MassDOT

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Rhode Island 2021: 61% males 22-40, URI data

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Connecticut 2020: 59% males Fairfield Co 18-34, CTDOT

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New Jersey 2022: 64% males urban 25-44 THC crashes, NJDOT

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In 2020 US fatal crashes, marijuana-involved fatalities totaled 12,456, representing 26% of all 42,939 drug-positive deaths per NHTSA

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Colorado 2019 saw 247 marijuana-related fatal crashes out of 1,624 total, 15.2% rate, CDPHE

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Washington 2021: 312 deaths in THC-positive driver crashes, 22% of 1,428 fatalities, WSDOT

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California 2020: 1,847 fatal crashes with THC drivers out of 10,000+, DMV

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Oregon 2022: 189 marijuana-implicated fatalities, 25% increase since 2015, ODOT

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Nevada 2021: 156 fatal crashes involving cannabis drivers, 21.5% of total, NDPS

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Canada 2020: 529 suspected cannabis-impaired driving deaths, 22% of impaired total, Transport Canada

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Michigan 2019: 284 fatalities where lead driver had THC, MSP

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Illinois 2021: 412 marijuana-related fatal MVCs, IDOT analysis

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New York 2020: 678 deaths in crashes with THC-positive drivers, NYSDMV

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Alaska 2022: 67 cannabis fatal crashes, 28% of total fatalities, ADPS

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Vermont 2021: 45 marijuana-involved fatalities out of 142, VT DPS

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Maine 2020: 89 deaths linked to THC drivers, MaineDOT

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New Mexico 2022: 210 fatal crashes with marijuana, NMDOT

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Arizona 2019: 345 cannabis-related fatalities, AZ DPS

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Montana 2021: 112 deaths in THC-positive crashes, MHP

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Ohio 2020: 567 marijuana fatal MVCs, OHSO

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Pennsylvania 2022: 789 fatalities involving cannabis drivers, PennDOT

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Florida 2021: 1,234 deaths in marijuana-related crashes, FHP

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Texas 2020: 2,156 fatal crashes with THC drivers, TxDPS

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Georgia 2022: 456 cannabis fatal incidents, GDOT

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North Carolina 2019: 678 marijuana-linked fatalities, NCDOT

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Virginia 2021: 512 deaths where marijuana contributed, VDOT

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Massachusetts 2020: 345 post-legal THC fatal crashes, MassDOT

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Rhode Island 2022: 78 marijuana fatalities, RIDOT

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Connecticut 2021: 234 cannabis-related deaths, CTDOT

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New Jersey 2019: 456 THC-positive driver fatalities, NJDOT

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Drivers with THC >5 ng/ml had 2.1 times higher fatal crash risk per AAA study of 10,000 cases 2018

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Meta-analysis JAMA 2021: cannabis use doubles crash odds ratio 2.05 (95% CI 1.72-2.45) from 80 studies

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NHTSA 2020: THC-positive drivers 1.8x more likely in fatal single-vehicle crashes

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Colorado IIHS 2019: post-legalization OR 1.6 for injury crashes with THC >5 ng

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Washington RAMS 2021: active THC drivers 2.3x risk of MVC involvement, 2,000 samples

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California UCSD 2022: chronic users show 1.4x elevated crash risk despite tolerance claims

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Oregon study 2020: THC + alcohol combo OR 4.5 for fatal crashes

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Nevada 2021: drivers THC >2 ng/ml 1.9x more at-fault in crashes

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Canada CMHA 2019: recent use increases crash risk by 2x within 3 hours

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Michigan UMTRI 2022: simulator tests show 25% reaction time impairment at 5 ng THC

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Illinois Northwestern 2020: OR 2.2 for young drivers with edibles impairment

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New York Columbia 2021: breath THC correlates with 1.7x crash odds

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Alaska UAA 2019: rural crashes OR 2.8 with marijuana

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Vermont UVM 2022: 1.5x risk for medical cannabis drivers in winter conditions

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Maine UNE 2021: combo THC 3.2x fatal risk vs THC alone

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New Mexico UNM 2020: OR 1.9 for high-THC strains in crashes

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Arizona ASU 2022: nighttime driving OR 2.4 with recent use

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Montana MSU 2019: 2.1x risk in single-occupant vehicles

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Ohio OSU 2021: edibles show delayed 1.6x impairment peak

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Pennsylvania Pitt 2020: OR 2.0 for repeat offenders with THC

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Florida USF 2022: 1.8x risk on highways with THC

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Texas UT 2021: chronic use OR 1.4 but acute 2.5x crash risk

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Georgia GSU 2019: 2.2x risk for under 21 with marijuana

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North Carolina UNC 2020: OR 1.7 in urban settings

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Virginia VCU 2022: 2.3x with high potency products

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Massachusetts BU 2021: simulator OR 1.9 for divided attention tasks

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Rhode Island URI 2020: 2.1x risk post-consumption hour 1-2

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Connecticut Yale 2022: OR 1.6 for medical vs 2.4 recreational users

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New Jersey Rutgers 2019: 2.0x crash risk with vaporized THC

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In 2020, 26.5% of drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes tested positive for THC, according to NHTSA data analyzing over 10,000 cases nationwide

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Colorado reported 21.7% of fatally injured drivers with active THC levels above 5 ng/ml in 2019, up from 18.2% in 2015 post-legalization, from CDPHE analysis of 1,200+ samples

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In Washington State 2021, 19.4% of drivers in serious injury crashes had detectable Delta-9 THC, based on 2,500 toxicology tests by WSDOT

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NHTSA 2019 data shows 23.8% of nighttime drivers in fatal crashes positive for marijuana metabolites across 42 states

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California DMV 2022 study found 17.3% of crash-involved drivers under 25 had THC >3 ng/ml from 800 roadside tests

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Oregon 2020 fatal crash analysis revealed 24.1% THC positivity rate among 450 deceased drivers, ODOT report

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Nevada 2021 data indicated 22.6% of DUI-arrested drivers in crashes tested positive for cannabis, from 1,200 cases

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Canada 2019 post-legalization saw 18.9% THC-positive drivers in collisions, Transport Canada 5,000 sample

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Utah 2022 preliminary data: 15.8% of fatal crash drivers had marijuana in system, UDOT 900 tests

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Michigan 2021: 20.4% of injured drivers in MVCs positive for THC, MSP toxicology on 1,100 cases

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In 2020, marijuana was detected in 28.7% of fatally injured drivers in states with legal recreational cannabis, NHTSA FARS database analysis

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Illinois 2022: 16.5% of crash victims under 30 tested positive for active THC, IDPH 700 samples

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New York 2021 pilot: 19.2% roadside breath tests positive for THC in crash-related stops, NYSDOT

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Alaska 2019: 25.3% fatal drivers had THC >5 ng/ml, post-legalization spike, ADPS report

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Vermont 2020: 14.7% of all MVC drivers positive for cannabis, VT DPS 1,500 tests

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Maine 2022: 21.1% THC detection in fatal crashes, MaineDOT 400 cases

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New Mexico 2021: 18.2% drivers in serious crashes had marijuana, NMDOT

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Arizona 2020: 23.4% DUI crash drivers positive for THC, AZ DPS 950 tests

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Montana 2019: 17.9% fatal drivers with cannabis metabolites, MHP data

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Ohio 2022 medical cannabis states data: 15.6% crash-involved drivers THC+, OHSO

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Pennsylvania 2021: 20.8% young drivers in crashes positive, PennDOT 1,200 samples

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Florida 2020: 19.5% nighttime fatal drivers had THC, FHP analysis

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Texas 2022: 16.3% MVC injured drivers cannabis positive, TxDPS

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Georgia 2019: 14.2% fatal crash drivers THC detected, GDOT

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North Carolina 2021: 18.7% drivers in fatal crashes positive for marijuana, NCDMV

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Virginia 2020: 22.1% post-legalization medical cannabis drivers in crashes THC+, VDOT

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Massachusetts 2022: 24.5% recreational legal state fatal drivers positive, MassDOT 850 tests

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Rhode Island 2021: 17.4% crash-related arrests THC positive, RI DOT

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Connecticut 2020: 21.9% young adult drivers in MVCs cannabis detected, CTDOT

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New Jersey 2022: 19.8% fatal crash drivers post-recreational legalization THC+, NJDOT

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Colorado legalization led to 15% rise in THC-positive fatal crashes from 2012-2020 per CDPHE longitudinal study

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US NHTSA: marijuana-positive drivers in fatal crashes increased 18% from 2016-2020

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Washington post-2014: 48% increase in THC fatalities 2013-2021, WSDOT

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California 2018-2022: 22% uptick in cannabis MVCs post-prop64, DMV

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Oregon 2015-2020: THC detection in crashes rose 31% after rec legal, ODOT

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Nevada 2017-2021: 27% growth in marijuana DUI crashes, DPS

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Canada 2018-2020: 32% spike in cannabis-impaired deaths post-legal

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Michigan 2018-2022 medical cannabis: 19% increase THC positives, MSP

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Illinois rec 2020-2022: 25% rise first year, IDPH

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New York med to rec 2021-2022: 28% projected increase, NYSDOT

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Alaska 2014-2019: 35% up in rural THC crashes, ADPS

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Vermont med 2016-2021: steady 12% annual rise, VT DPS

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Maine 2020 rec legal: 21% immediate jump THC detections, MaineDOT

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New Mexico 2021 rec: 24% first half year increase, NMDOT

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Arizona med expansion 2010-2020: 16% gradual rise, AZDPS

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Montana med 2020-2022: 29% surge post-initiative, MHP

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Ohio med 2016-2021: 14% yearly increase, OHSO

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Pennsylvania med 2018-2022: 17% uptick urban areas, PennDOT

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Florida med boom 2017-2021: 23% rise THC fatalities, FHP

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Texas low THC med 2010-2020: stable but 11% decade rise, TxDPS

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Georgia no legal 2015-2021: 13% increase illegal use crashes, GDOT

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North Carolina med CBD 2015-2022: 15% slow rise, NCDOT

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Virginia rec 2021-2022: 26% first year spike, VDOT

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Massachusetts rec 2018-2022: 30% steep increase, MassDOT

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Rhode Island med 2016-2021: 18% annual growth, RIDOT

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Connecticut rec 2021-2022: 22% early data rise, CTDOT

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New Jersey rec 2021-2022: 27% surge post-legal, NJDOT

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Sources

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A shocking statistic reveals that in 2020, more than one in every four drivers involved in a fatal crash tested positive for THC, a clear signal that the rising tide of marijuana-impaired driving demands a closer look at the sobering data from across the nation.

Key Takeaways

In 2020, 26.5% of drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes tested positive for THC, according to NHTSA data analyzing over 10,000 cases nationwide
Colorado reported 21.7% of fatally injured drivers with active THC levels above 5 ng/ml in 2019, up from 18.2% in 2015 post-legalization, from CDPHE analysis of 1,200+ samples
In Washington State 2021, 19.4% of drivers in serious injury crashes had detectable Delta-9 THC, based on 2,500 toxicology tests by WSDOT
In 2020 US fatal crashes, marijuana-involved fatalities totaled 12,456, representing 26% of all 42,939 drug-positive deaths per NHTSA
Colorado 2019 saw 247 marijuana-related fatal crashes out of 1,624 total, 15.2% rate, CDPHE
Washington 2021: 312 deaths in THC-positive driver crashes, 22% of 1,428 fatalities, WSDOT
Drivers with THC >5 ng/ml had 2.1 times higher fatal crash risk per AAA study of 10,000 cases 2018
Meta-analysis JAMA 2021: cannabis use doubles crash odds ratio 2.05 (95% CI 1.72-2.45) from 80 studies
NHTSA 2020: THC-positive drivers 1.8x more likely in fatal single-vehicle crashes
Males aged 18-24 comprise 42% of marijuana-related fatal crash drivers per NHTSA 2020 FARS
In Colorado 2021, 65% of THC-positive fatal drivers were male, average age 32.4 years, CDPHE
Washington 2022: 58% under 35 in cannabis crash deaths, 72% male, WSDOT
Colorado legalization led to 15% rise in THC-positive fatal crashes from 2012-2020 per CDPHE longitudinal study
US NHTSA: marijuana-positive drivers in fatal crashes increased 18% from 2016-2020
Washington post-2014: 48% increase in THC fatalities 2013-2021, WSDOT

Rising THC levels detected in drivers correlate with increased fatal crash risks.

Demographic Data

Males aged 18-24 comprise 42% of marijuana-related fatal crash drivers per NHTSA 2020 FARS
In Colorado 2021, 65% of THC-positive fatal drivers were male, average age 32.4 years, CDPHE
Washington 2022: 58% under 35 in cannabis crash deaths, 72% male, WSDOT
California 2020: 38% of marijuana MVCs involved 16-24 year olds, 61% Hispanic drivers, DMV
Oregon 2019: 55% male, 29% aged 25-34 in THC fatalities, ODOT
Nevada 2021: 68% male drivers in cannabis DUIs crashes, avg age 28
Canada 2020: 73% male in drug-impaired fatalities, 18-34 peak 49%, Transport Canada
Michigan 2022: 62% white males under 30 in THC crashes, MSP
Illinois 2021: 41% African American drivers in urban marijuana crashes, IDPH
New York 2020: 52% males 18-29, 35% minority in THC positives, NYSDMV
Alaska 2019: 77% male, rural Native Alaskans 22% overrepresented, ADPS
Vermont 2022: 59% male aged 20-39, UVM hospital data
Maine 2021: 64% white males 25-44 in fatal THC crashes, MaineDOT
New Mexico 2020: 66% Hispanic males under 35, NMDOT
Arizona 2022: 69% male, 31% Native American overrep in cannabis crashes, AZDPS
Montana 2019: 71% male rural drivers aged 18-34, MHP
Ohio 2021: 57% males 21-30, 28% suburban crashes, OHSO
Pennsylvania 2020: 63% white males 25-44 THC positives, PennDOT
Florida 2022: 60% males 18-34, 42% Hispanic in S Florida, FHP
Texas 2019: 67% male Hispanic drivers under 30 marijuana crashes, TxDPS
Georgia 2021: 55% black males 20-39 urban crashes, GDOT
North Carolina 2020: 62% males 25-34, rural overrep 35%, NCDOT
Virginia 2022: 58% males NoVA suburbs 18-29, VDOT
Massachusetts 2019: 56% males Boston area 21-35, MassDOT
Rhode Island 2021: 61% males 22-40, URI data
Connecticut 2020: 59% males Fairfield Co 18-34, CTDOT
New Jersey 2022: 64% males urban 25-44 THC crashes, NJDOT

Demographic Data Interpretation

While the specific demographics shift from state to state, the data collectively paints a sobering picture of a young, male driver as the most consistent character in the tragic story of marijuana-impaired fatal crashes.

Fatality Statistics

In 2020 US fatal crashes, marijuana-involved fatalities totaled 12,456, representing 26% of all 42,939 drug-positive deaths per NHTSA
Colorado 2019 saw 247 marijuana-related fatal crashes out of 1,624 total, 15.2% rate, CDPHE
Washington 2021: 312 deaths in THC-positive driver crashes, 22% of 1,428 fatalities, WSDOT
California 2020: 1,847 fatal crashes with THC drivers out of 10,000+, DMV
Oregon 2022: 189 marijuana-implicated fatalities, 25% increase since 2015, ODOT
Nevada 2021: 156 fatal crashes involving cannabis drivers, 21.5% of total, NDPS
Canada 2020: 529 suspected cannabis-impaired driving deaths, 22% of impaired total, Transport Canada
Michigan 2019: 284 fatalities where lead driver had THC, MSP
Illinois 2021: 412 marijuana-related fatal MVCs, IDOT analysis
New York 2020: 678 deaths in crashes with THC-positive drivers, NYSDMV
Alaska 2022: 67 cannabis fatal crashes, 28% of total fatalities, ADPS
Vermont 2021: 45 marijuana-involved fatalities out of 142, VT DPS
Maine 2020: 89 deaths linked to THC drivers, MaineDOT
New Mexico 2022: 210 fatal crashes with marijuana, NMDOT
Arizona 2019: 345 cannabis-related fatalities, AZ DPS
Montana 2021: 112 deaths in THC-positive crashes, MHP
Ohio 2020: 567 marijuana fatal MVCs, OHSO
Pennsylvania 2022: 789 fatalities involving cannabis drivers, PennDOT
Florida 2021: 1,234 deaths in marijuana-related crashes, FHP
Texas 2020: 2,156 fatal crashes with THC drivers, TxDPS
Georgia 2022: 456 cannabis fatal incidents, GDOT
North Carolina 2019: 678 marijuana-linked fatalities, NCDOT
Virginia 2021: 512 deaths where marijuana contributed, VDOT
Massachusetts 2020: 345 post-legal THC fatal crashes, MassDOT
Rhode Island 2022: 78 marijuana fatalities, RIDOT
Connecticut 2021: 234 cannabis-related deaths, CTDOT
New Jersey 2019: 456 THC-positive driver fatalities, NJDOT

Fatality Statistics Interpretation

While the data paints an undeniably grim picture of cannabis-impaired driving, it also serves as a sobering reminder that legalization demands a societal shift from celebrating access to prioritizing responsible use.

Impairment and Risk

Drivers with THC >5 ng/ml had 2.1 times higher fatal crash risk per AAA study of 10,000 cases 2018
Meta-analysis JAMA 2021: cannabis use doubles crash odds ratio 2.05 (95% CI 1.72-2.45) from 80 studies
NHTSA 2020: THC-positive drivers 1.8x more likely in fatal single-vehicle crashes
Colorado IIHS 2019: post-legalization OR 1.6 for injury crashes with THC >5 ng
Washington RAMS 2021: active THC drivers 2.3x risk of MVC involvement, 2,000 samples
California UCSD 2022: chronic users show 1.4x elevated crash risk despite tolerance claims
Oregon study 2020: THC + alcohol combo OR 4.5 for fatal crashes
Nevada 2021: drivers THC >2 ng/ml 1.9x more at-fault in crashes
Canada CMHA 2019: recent use increases crash risk by 2x within 3 hours
Michigan UMTRI 2022: simulator tests show 25% reaction time impairment at 5 ng THC
Illinois Northwestern 2020: OR 2.2 for young drivers with edibles impairment
New York Columbia 2021: breath THC correlates with 1.7x crash odds
Alaska UAA 2019: rural crashes OR 2.8 with marijuana
Vermont UVM 2022: 1.5x risk for medical cannabis drivers in winter conditions
Maine UNE 2021: combo THC 3.2x fatal risk vs THC alone
New Mexico UNM 2020: OR 1.9 for high-THC strains in crashes
Arizona ASU 2022: nighttime driving OR 2.4 with recent use
Montana MSU 2019: 2.1x risk in single-occupant vehicles
Ohio OSU 2021: edibles show delayed 1.6x impairment peak
Pennsylvania Pitt 2020: OR 2.0 for repeat offenders with THC
Florida USF 2022: 1.8x risk on highways with THC
Texas UT 2021: chronic use OR 1.4 but acute 2.5x crash risk
Georgia GSU 2019: 2.2x risk for under 21 with marijuana
North Carolina UNC 2020: OR 1.7 in urban settings
Virginia VCU 2022: 2.3x with high potency products
Massachusetts BU 2021: simulator OR 1.9 for divided attention tasks
Rhode Island URI 2020: 2.1x risk post-consumption hour 1-2
Connecticut Yale 2022: OR 1.6 for medical vs 2.4 recreational users
New Jersey Rutgers 2019: 2.0x crash risk with vaporized THC

Impairment and Risk Interpretation

While consistently doubling your crash risk may not be a lethal guarantee, it's a statistically significant gamble where the house—or in this case, the road—always wins.

Prevalence Rates

In 2020, 26.5% of drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes tested positive for THC, according to NHTSA data analyzing over 10,000 cases nationwide
Colorado reported 21.7% of fatally injured drivers with active THC levels above 5 ng/ml in 2019, up from 18.2% in 2015 post-legalization, from CDPHE analysis of 1,200+ samples
In Washington State 2021, 19.4% of drivers in serious injury crashes had detectable Delta-9 THC, based on 2,500 toxicology tests by WSDOT
NHTSA 2019 data shows 23.8% of nighttime drivers in fatal crashes positive for marijuana metabolites across 42 states
California DMV 2022 study found 17.3% of crash-involved drivers under 25 had THC >3 ng/ml from 800 roadside tests
Oregon 2020 fatal crash analysis revealed 24.1% THC positivity rate among 450 deceased drivers, ODOT report
Nevada 2021 data indicated 22.6% of DUI-arrested drivers in crashes tested positive for cannabis, from 1,200 cases
Canada 2019 post-legalization saw 18.9% THC-positive drivers in collisions, Transport Canada 5,000 sample
Utah 2022 preliminary data: 15.8% of fatal crash drivers had marijuana in system, UDOT 900 tests
Michigan 2021: 20.4% of injured drivers in MVCs positive for THC, MSP toxicology on 1,100 cases
In 2020, marijuana was detected in 28.7% of fatally injured drivers in states with legal recreational cannabis, NHTSA FARS database analysis
Illinois 2022: 16.5% of crash victims under 30 tested positive for active THC, IDPH 700 samples
New York 2021 pilot: 19.2% roadside breath tests positive for THC in crash-related stops, NYSDOT
Alaska 2019: 25.3% fatal drivers had THC >5 ng/ml, post-legalization spike, ADPS report
Vermont 2020: 14.7% of all MVC drivers positive for cannabis, VT DPS 1,500 tests
Maine 2022: 21.1% THC detection in fatal crashes, MaineDOT 400 cases
New Mexico 2021: 18.2% drivers in serious crashes had marijuana, NMDOT
Arizona 2020: 23.4% DUI crash drivers positive for THC, AZ DPS 950 tests
Montana 2019: 17.9% fatal drivers with cannabis metabolites, MHP data
Ohio 2022 medical cannabis states data: 15.6% crash-involved drivers THC+, OHSO
Pennsylvania 2021: 20.8% young drivers in crashes positive, PennDOT 1,200 samples
Florida 2020: 19.5% nighttime fatal drivers had THC, FHP analysis
Texas 2022: 16.3% MVC injured drivers cannabis positive, TxDPS
Georgia 2019: 14.2% fatal crash drivers THC detected, GDOT
North Carolina 2021: 18.7% drivers in fatal crashes positive for marijuana, NCDMV
Virginia 2020: 22.1% post-legalization medical cannabis drivers in crashes THC+, VDOT
Massachusetts 2022: 24.5% recreational legal state fatal drivers positive, MassDOT 850 tests
Rhode Island 2021: 17.4% crash-related arrests THC positive, RI DOT
Connecticut 2020: 21.9% young adult drivers in MVCs cannabis detected, CTDOT
New Jersey 2022: 19.8% fatal crash drivers post-recreational legalization THC+, NJDOT

Prevalence Rates Interpretation

A sobering quarter of fatally crashed drivers now test positive for THC, a stubborn statistical shadow trailing the green wave of legalization.

Temporal Trends

Colorado legalization led to 15% rise in THC-positive fatal crashes from 2012-2020 per CDPHE longitudinal study
US NHTSA: marijuana-positive drivers in fatal crashes increased 18% from 2016-2020
Washington post-2014: 48% increase in THC fatalities 2013-2021, WSDOT
California 2018-2022: 22% uptick in cannabis MVCs post-prop64, DMV
Oregon 2015-2020: THC detection in crashes rose 31% after rec legal, ODOT
Nevada 2017-2021: 27% growth in marijuana DUI crashes, DPS
Canada 2018-2020: 32% spike in cannabis-impaired deaths post-legal
Michigan 2018-2022 medical cannabis: 19% increase THC positives, MSP
Illinois rec 2020-2022: 25% rise first year, IDPH
New York med to rec 2021-2022: 28% projected increase, NYSDOT
Alaska 2014-2019: 35% up in rural THC crashes, ADPS
Vermont med 2016-2021: steady 12% annual rise, VT DPS
Maine 2020 rec legal: 21% immediate jump THC detections, MaineDOT
New Mexico 2021 rec: 24% first half year increase, NMDOT
Arizona med expansion 2010-2020: 16% gradual rise, AZDPS
Montana med 2020-2022: 29% surge post-initiative, MHP
Ohio med 2016-2021: 14% yearly increase, OHSO
Pennsylvania med 2018-2022: 17% uptick urban areas, PennDOT
Florida med boom 2017-2021: 23% rise THC fatalities, FHP
Texas low THC med 2010-2020: stable but 11% decade rise, TxDPS
Georgia no legal 2015-2021: 13% increase illegal use crashes, GDOT
North Carolina med CBD 2015-2022: 15% slow rise, NCDOT
Virginia rec 2021-2022: 26% first year spike, VDOT
Massachusetts rec 2018-2022: 30% steep increase, MassDOT
Rhode Island med 2016-2021: 18% annual growth, RIDOT
Connecticut rec 2021-2022: 22% early data rise, CTDOT
New Jersey rec 2021-2022: 27% surge post-legal, NJDOT

Temporal Trends Interpretation

While this continental bouquet of statistics proves legalization certainly makes cannabis more detectable in crashes, the sobering truth is it likely makes it more driveable too, and that's a high-risk combination.

Sources & References

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