Road to risk: How different cannabis products affect perceptions of road safety and impaired driving
Date
2025
Authors
Bellows, Charlotte
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Victoria
Abstract
Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada, the demand for a variety of cannabis products has grown. With an expanding consumer market, driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) poses a relevant and serious risk to road safety and public health. Different product types (e.g., dried flower, concentrates, edibles, etc.) have unique characteristics, such as THC potency and plant type trends (Tassone et al., 2023). Pre-existing literature on cannabis consumption and DUIC largely treats cannabis use as a homogenous behaviour, disregarding variation between product types and limiting insight into how this variable may influence risk perception. In addition to a background literature review on product prevalence and the multifaceted nature of DUIC risk perceptions, this study uses provincial datasets to profile cannabis users on the basis of product frequency and assess associated DUIC behaviours. By examining differences in risk behaviours and product preferences among user profile groups, the study aims to provide a nuanced view of cannabis product use and perceptions of risk.
Description
Keywords
cannabis products, risk perception, impaired driving, road safety