World-First Trial Seeks to Assess Driving Skills of Medicinal Cannabis Users

Cannabis, buds and blunt on drug table, PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock

Victoria is taking a bold leap with a world-first medicinal cannabis driving trial, putting users to the test to see if they can safely navigate the road under the influence of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

Medicinal cannabis products typically contain varying concentrations of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

There is currently limited evidence about the impact of prescribed THC-containing medicinal cannabis on real-world driver performance.

Funded by a $4.9 million state grant and led by Swinburne University, the trial will closely examine whether medicinal cannabis patients pose a risk behind the wheel—or if the stigma of impaired driving may be overstated.

Evaluating Driving Performance

Currently, it is illegal in Victoria to drive with any detectable amount of THC, the active compound in medicinal cannabis—which can remain in a person’s system for several days after they take their prescribed medication.

The trial will evaluate drivers’ skills in steering, braking, and speed management while also measuring their capacity to handle distractions at a Melbourne driver training facility.

Each participant will be paired with a qualified driving instructor equipped with dual controls, ensuring safety if any issues arise.

Eligibility for the trial includes individuals who have been prescribed cannabis for conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, or mental health issues for a minimum of six months.

The study will conduct impairment screenings both before and after participants complete their test drives.

Since its legalisation in Australia in 2016, prescription cannabis has been used by over 700,000 individuals to manage a range of medical conditions, including cancer treatment, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.

Evidence-Based Approach to Driving with Medicinal Cannabis

The decision to undertake the trial was announced back in May.

Premier Jacinta Allan said that under the government, Victoria was the first state in Australia to legalise access to medicinal cannabis and is now conducting a world-first trial.

Lead researcher of Swinburne University of Technology’s Drugs and Driving Research Unit, Professor Luke Downey, stated, “We’re excited to be leading this world-first on-track evaluation of the impact of medical cannabis on driving performance, and we support the Victorian Government’s commitment to evidence-based policy for road safety.”

Recently, Victoria’s upper house approved legislation to eliminate automatic licence suspensions for medicinal cannabis users found driving with trace amounts in their system.

THC can remain detectable for more than a week after consumption, leading to bans and significant fines for authorised users, despite questions surrounding their impairment while driving.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said, “This is an evidence-based approach—we’re working with researchers from Swinburne University to see whether people can drive with any level of medicinal cannabis without compromising road safety.”