Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2018
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Ryan Searle, M.D., ABEM

LEGAL MARIJUANA INCREASES FATAL CRASHES

In Colorado the number testing positive for marijuana in fatal crashes
has risen each year from 2013 (47) to 2016 (115), more than doubling
(145%) in those four years. Of the 547 traffic fatalities in 2015, 99
were due to marijuana, 187 to alcohol and 35 to both. The most common
drug in all fatal crashes is marijuana.

There are also other health-related issues to consider. The
cardiovascular and cancer risks inherent in smoking tobacco also apply
to marijuana. While cigarette smokers inhale more smoke, marijuana
smokers hold it longer in their lungs. Marijuana can also demotivate
individuals. They lose their ambition and competitiveness.

Ryan Searle, M.D., ABEM