After cannabis legalisation, on average one additional traffic fatality per million residents has been found in comparison to states that had not changed cannabis laws.

‘Policymakers should consult with neighbouring jurisdictions when liberalising cannabis policy to mitigate any deleterious effects.’

But the study reported the spill over effects to be slightly larger in neighbouring states and provinces, particularly those with population centres closest to the border of a legalising state - possibly because cannabis users were driving interstate to make purchases, before returning under the influence. 




It's called 'cannabis tourism', and Monash University's Dr Tyler Lane says there are important implications for both legalising states and their neighbours as prohibitions against cannabis use are lifted globally.
"The effect of cannabis legalisation on traffic fatalities is a growing public health concern," Dr Lane said.
"The results suggest that legalising the sale of cannabis for recreational use can lead to a temporary increase in traffic fatalities in legalising states. This spills over into neighbouring jurisdictions through cross-border sales, trafficking, or cannabis tourists driving back to their state of residence while impaired.
Dr Lane said the findings were in contrast to research on medicinal cannabis suggesting it decreases traffic fatalities.
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Source-Eurekalert