As more states re-allow their inhabitants to use the natural plant marijuana (cannabis), some who grew up with the prohibition mentality are concerned that fatalities from automobile accidents will rise as a result.
The authors of this study used the US Fatality Analysis Reporting System to determine the annual numbers of motor vehicle crash fatalities between 2009 and 2015 in Washington, Colorado, and 8 control states.
The authors concluded: Three years after recreational marijuana legalization, changes in motor vehicle crash fatality rates for Washington and Colorado were not statistically different from those in similar states without recreational marijuana legalization.
As long as marijuana users continue to make safe driving choices, this pattern should continue.
