June is National Safety Month. Partners for Prevention in Allegany County(PPAC) and the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Use, Inc.(ACASA) is focusing on impaired driving by marijuana use. When the legalization of marijuana was proposed and passed, one positive that was surmised is that impaired driving and accidents would decrease. Fast forward to 5 years since legalization, and the New York State Troopers report that there has been a 20% increase in drug-related DWI arrests statewide. Nationally, the statistics are not any better.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports:

• National survey data shows that roughly 4.7% to 5% of Americans aged 16 and older admit to driving under the influence of cannabis annually. This makes marijuana the second most common substance associated with impaired driving after alcohol.
• Up to a third of regular cannabis users report driving within three hours of consuming.
• The rate of weekend nighttime drivers testing positive for THC has risen substantially, and recent studies show that over 40% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for recent marijuana use in some jurisdictions.

The prevalence of driving after cannabis use has increased significantly over the past decade. The thought that people who use marijuana do not get behind the wheel is false. Driving within 1 to 3 hours of consuming cannabis is especially dangerous because it impairs coordination, decision-making, and reaction times, roughly doubling the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

New York’s legalization does not mean that there are no rules to where, when, and how residents can use marijuana products. Marijuana products are legal for adults that are 21 years old or older. Below you will see what is legal and illegal for drivers and passengers of vehicles.

Marijuana use should be considered like alcohol: a person who chooses to use should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle or ride with someone who has been using. Plan on not traveling or have a designated driver. It is important for adults to understand the various types of THC products, how quickly the effects can be felt, and how long the effects last.

The Office of Cannabis Management(OCM) would like consumers to “Start Low and Go Slow”.

• “Start Low” with the amount of cannabis consumed and “Go Slow” when increasing the amount of cannabis consumed over a period of time. 
• Start with a low serving size. (For someone who is new to cannabis and consuming an edible, that may mean between 2.5 to 5 milligrams). It may be necessary to cut the edible into a half or into quarters to start with or have fewer sips of a beverage rather than take the entire serving at once.
• After waiting and feeling safe to increase the amount, consume the same amount or less than what was previously consumed rather than going for a full serving size.
• Wait for 5-10 minutes after inhaling or vaping 1-2 puffs of cannabis before consuming more. It’s recommended to pause and sit with how a person feels before consuming more.  
• Topicals can be portioned by how much of the product is applied at a time. If a dime sized amount of lotion is ineffective – increase to the size of a quarter, and so on.
• When eating or drinking cannabis products, THC is broken down in the liver and transforms into the metabolite 11-Hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), which is several times more potent than THC when it is smoked.
• When trying a new product for the first time, remember that different products can take longer to take effect.  Wait for effects before taking more. Then the next time you consume you’ll know what the right amount for your body looks like. You can always take more if you aren’t feeling the effects, but you cannot take less!

PPAC and ACASA would like adults to not use products that contain THC, but for adults who do choose, we want them to be safe, not just for themselves, but also for everyone around them. Safety when using marijuana does not just mean while in a vehicle, but also at work. Similar to driving, there are rules about using marijuana products and impairment while at work. Read the OCM’s  “Adult Use Cannabis and the Workplace” for more information.

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For anyone who feels their marijuana use has become an issue and would like help quitting, they can visit ACASA’s website for resources or contact their Clinic at 585-593-6738.

Please, everyone be safe for yourself and those around you.