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Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Road Safety: A Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco González-Sala

    (Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Macarena Tortosa-Pérez

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Internacional de Valencia-VIU, 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • María Peñaranda-Ortega

    (Departamento de Psicología Básica y Metodología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain)

  • Francisco Tortosa

    (Instituto de Investigación en Tráfico y Seguridad Vial-INTRAS, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Background: Legalizing medical and recreational cannabis and decriminalizing this substance may have unanticipated effects on traffic safety. The present study aimed to assess the impact of cannabis legalization on traffic accidents. Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) declaration of the articles included in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. The number of papers included in the review was 29. Results: The results show that in 15 papers, there is a relationship between the legalization of medical and/or recreational cannabis and the number of traffic accidents, while in 5 papers, no such relationship is observed. In addition, nine articles indicate a greater number of risk behaviors related to driving after consumption, identifying young, male, and alcohol consumption together with cannabis as the risk profile. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the legalization of medical and/or recreational cannabis has negative effects on road safety when considering the number of jobs that affect the number of fatalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco González-Sala & Macarena Tortosa-Pérez & María Peñaranda-Ortega & Francisco Tortosa, 2023. "Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Road Safety: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4655-:d:1089129
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin Hansen & Keaton Miller & Caroline Weber, 2020. "Early Evidence On Recreational Marijuana Legalization And Traffic Fatalities," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(2), pages 547-568, April.
    2. D. Mark Anderson & Benjamin Hansen & Daniel I. Rees, 2013. "Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 56(2), pages 333-369.
    3. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303577_1 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Santaella-Tenorio, J. & Mauro, C.M. & Wall, M.M. & Kim, J.H. & Cerdá, M. & Keyes, K.M. & Hasin, D.S. & Galea, S. & Martins, S.S., 2017. "US traffic fatalities, 1985-2014, and their relationship to medical marijuana laws," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(2), pages 336-342.
    5. Aydelotte, J.D. & Brown, L.H. & Luftman, K.M. & Mardock, A.L. & Teixeira, P.G.R. & Coopwood, B. & Brown, C.V.R., 2017. "Crash fatality rates after recreational marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(8), pages 1329-1331.
    6. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303848_8 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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