CANNABIS MAY HAVE LESS RISK

IT has been impossible to prove that cannabis use adversely affects
driving, a researcher said yesterday.

Professor Jack Maclean, director of the road accident research unit at the
University of Adelaide, told the Australian Driver Fatigue Conference:
"There is no doubt marijuana affects performance, but maybe it affects it
in a favourable way by reducing risk-taking."

He said blood sampling by South Australian hospitals of people injured in
road accidents found those with marijuana in their blood were at fault in
less than half of the accidents.

"Eighty per cent of those with alcohol on board were judged to be
responsible [for accidents]," Prof Maclean said.