Effects of Prescribed Medical Cannabis and Alcohol on Real-World Driving Performance (CAN-TRACK): Study Protocol
| Journal | Trials |
| Study Type | Cohort |
| Population | Human participants |
Current zero-tolerance THC driving laws create legal jeopardy for medical cannabis patients regardless of actual impairment levels. This protocol addresses a critical gap between therapeutic cannabis use and evidence-based road safety policy.
This two-phase Australian trial will assess real-world driving performance in medical cannabis patients using prescribed THC-containing products. Phase 1 involves 72 patients with chronic pain, anxiety, or insomnia completing on-track driving assessments before and after standard therapeutic doses. Phase 2 adds a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover component with 24 healthy participants. The study aims to generate objective data on driving impairment from therapeutic cannabis doses to inform current zero-tolerance policies.
“I regularly counsel patients about the legal risks of driving after cannabis use, but we lack robust data on actual impairment at therapeutic doses. This protocol could provide the evidence base needed to align road safety laws with clinical reality.”
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FAQ
Can patients legally drive after using prescribed medical cannabis containing THC?
Under current Australian laws, driving with any detectable amount of THC in one’s system is prohibited, regardless of whether it was prescribed medically. This creates a significant legal barrier for medical cannabis patients, as THC can remain detectable long after any impairing effects have subsided.
Does therapeutic dosing of medical cannabis impair driving ability?
This is currently unclear and is the primary research question of the CAN-TRACK study. While medical cannabis products often contain THC, it remains unknown whether these products produce meaningful driving impairment when used as prescribed at therapeutic doses for chronic conditions.
Which medical conditions are being studied in relation to cannabis and driving performance?
The CAN-TRACK study focuses on patients with three common conditions for which medical cannabis is prescribed: chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia. The study will include 24 patients from each diagnostic group to assess condition-specific effects on driving performance.
How will researchers measure real-world driving impairment from medical cannabis?
The study uses a two-phase approach: Phase 1 involves 72 medical cannabis patients completing on-track driving assessments before and after taking their prescribed doses. Phase 2 includes a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 24 healthy participants to establish baseline impairment measures.
What are the implications of this research for road safety policy?
This study aims to generate novel evidence on whether current zero-tolerance THC driving laws are appropriate for medical cannabis patients using prescribed therapeutic doses. The findings could inform policy changes that balance road safety with reasonable access to medical cannabis treatment.
