MANY CANNABIS USERS 'HAPPY TO SMOKE AND DRIVE'

Most regular cannabis users admit to driving under the influence of
the drug in spite of being aware that it impairs their performance,
according to a study today from the Economic and Social Research Council.

It found 74% of cannabis-smoking drivers said they had taken a car or
motorbike on the the road while feeling stoned. Of those who had, 70%
believed it had a bad effect on their driving. Of people who took the
drug between two and seven days a week, 41% said they felt it was
acceptable to drive under the influence of cannabis.

The research team, led by Philip Terry of Birmingham University, said
the potential economic and social cost of people performing risky
activities while under the influence of cannabis was largely
overlooked in the government's recent decision to downgrade the drug's
classification.

The team interviewed 100 frequent users of cannabis and 90 casual
users who took the drug no more than four days a month. They found a
third of the frequent users were willing to drive even when they
thought they were "very high".

Nearly 80% of those who had driven while using cannabis or soon
afterwards said they would be deterred from doing so if roadside
testing were introduced. Although at least one in eight had been
stopped by the police while under the influence of the drug, none was
tested for cannabis intoxication or charged with driving under the
influence.

The study found one in four used cannabis before or at work, with just
over half of them admitting some degree of impairment. Users of the
drug said its positive effects included aiding sleep, relieving pain,
and assisting in relaxation; but its drawbacks were paranoia,
demotivation, and forgetfulness.

Dr Terry said: "Much effort by policymakers has been directed towards
identifying potential health problems that might result from cannabis
use. However, the indirect consequences of cannabis use may be just as
significant.

"Previous studies have failed to examine the extent to which chronic
use of cannabis is likely to increase someone's risk of accident or
injury, or to have potentially significant adverse effects on their
financial or social wellbeing by affecting their job performance or
personal relationships."

A Home Office spokeswoman said that it had not ignored the other
effects of cannabis, and the downgrading of its classification did not
mean the department was telling people to take the drug - as it
remained illegal.