Five years after legalization, overall driving after cannabis use increased (5.7% to 7.6-8.8%), but among past-year consumers, the rate slightly declined, suggesting the increase reflects more people using cannabis rather than riskier behavior.
Policymakers, traffic safety researchers, and public health officials.
Consumer driving-after-use fell from 19.9% to 18.3% post-legalization
What the researchers found
Overall driving after use rose from 5.7% (2018) to 8.8% (2022, OR=1.43) and 7.6% (2023, OR=1.20). Among consumers, it fell from 19.9% to 18.3% (OR=0.81). No change in passenger behavior.
Why it matters
The nuanced finding that individual users are not becoming riskier while overall rates rise is critical for policy.
The numbers in context
93,933 participants; 6 waves; overall rose 5.7% to 8.8%; consumers fell 19.9% to 18.3%.
How the study worked
Repeat cross-sectional surveys (ICPS) 2018-2023. 93,933 Canadian participants aged 16-65. Logistic regression by demographics.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported. "Within 2 hours" window. Cross-sectional tracks populations not individuals. Cannot measure impairment.
How to read the evidence
Large-scale multi-year nationally representative data from a real policy change.
When this study was published
2025 publication covering 2018-2023.
The bigger picture
Canada shows legalization increases the user pool without making individual users more reckless.
Questions still open
- Did public awareness campaigns drive the consumer decline?
- Do crash data match these trends?
Common questions
Did legalization increase impaired driving?
How many Canadians drive after cannabis?
Read the original research
Cannabis and driving: A repeat cross-sectional analysis of driving after cannabis use pre- vs. post-legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada.
Addictive behaviors, 170, 108419
Citation
Kucera, Ava; Hammond, David. (2025). Cannabis and driving: A repeat cross-sectional analysis of driving after cannabis use pre- vs. post-legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada.. Addictive behaviors, 170, 108419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108419