Higher cannabis problem scores and polysubstance use predicted driving after cannabis use
Among 1,110 young people who completed a digital cannabis brief intervention, higher ASSIST risk scores and polysubstance use significantly predicted driving after cannabis use, while gender did not.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Every 10-point increase in ASSIST score increased the probability of sometimes driving after cannabis use by 7.3%. Those who sometimes used alcohol or other substances with cannabis were 13% more likely to sometimes or always drive after cannabis use. Gender was not a significant determinant. The digital tool cost approximately CAD $0.90 per use.
Key Numbers
1,110 participants; 73.6% used cannabis; 30.8% drove after cannabis; 10-point ASSIST increase = 7.3% higher probability of driving high; polysubstance users 13% more likely; cost ~CAD $0.90/use
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of 1,110 completed Check Your Cannabis digital brief interventions from March 2019 to October 2020. An ordered probit model tested relationships between cannabis use patterns, demographics, and driving behaviors.
Why This Research Matters
Identifying which cannabis users are most likely to drive impaired allows prevention resources to be targeted rather than broadcast. The finding that polysubstance use and higher problem scores predict driving behavior provides actionable screening criteria.
The Bigger Picture
Low-cost digital interventions that simultaneously screen and educate could scale to reach large numbers of young cannabis users, particularly in post-legalization environments where traditional prevention messaging may be less effective.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-selected sample using a digital tool. Self-reported driving behavior. No follow-up to assess behavior change. Cross-sectional design. Canadian sample may not generalize.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does completing the digital intervention actually change driving behavior?
- ?Would integrating this tool into healthcare settings improve reach?
- ?Should polysubstance users receive more intensive intervention?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Every 10-point ASSIST increase = 7.3% more likely to drive after cannabis
- Evidence Grade:
- Reasonable sample size with appropriate statistical modeling, though self-selected digital sample and cross-sectional design limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 using data from 2019-2020.
- Original Title:
- A Digital Health Tool to Understand and Prevent Cannabis-Impaired Driving Among Youth: A Cross-sectional Study of Responses to a Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use.
- Published In:
- JMIR formative research, 5(3), e25583 (2021)
- Authors:
- Moreno, Georgina, van Mierlo, Trevor
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03361
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most likely to drive after using cannabis?
People with higher ASSIST risk scores (indicating more problematic substance use) and those who combine cannabis with alcohol or other substances were most likely to report driving after cannabis use.
How much did the digital intervention cost?
About CAD $0.90 (USD $0.71) per use, with cost decreasing as more people use it.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03361APA
Moreno, Georgina; van Mierlo, Trevor. (2021). A Digital Health Tool to Understand and Prevent Cannabis-Impaired Driving Among Youth: A Cross-sectional Study of Responses to a Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use.. JMIR formative research, 5(3), e25583. https://doi.org/10.2196/25583
MLA
Moreno, Georgina, et al. "A Digital Health Tool to Understand and Prevent Cannabis-Impaired Driving Among Youth: A Cross-sectional Study of Responses to a Brief Intervention for Cannabis Use.." JMIR formative research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2196/25583
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "A Digital Health Tool to Understand and Prevent Cannabis-Imp..." RTHC-03361. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/moreno-2021-a-digital-health-tool
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.