With the recent tabling of federal legislation Canada continues its march towards the legalization of marijuana. A new State Farm Canada survey released last week found a number of emerging trends which reveal Canadians' perceptions about marijuana use, its safety, and driving while under the influence are evolving.
Generally, the path toward legalization seems to be changing how Canadians feel about marijuana, largely in a more accepting way. One out of 4 survey respondents say that their views on marijuana have changed since Prime Minister Trudeau announced his promise to legalize marijuana. And of those whose views have changed, nearly 70% feel that marijuana use has become more acceptable.
On the issue of marijuana and driving, those who use marijuana see things quite differently from those who do not. One in 10 respondents admit they have driven under the influence of marijuana (45% within the past 12 months), but nearly half of this group say they don't believe marijuana impacts their ability to drive safely. This is an increase of five per cent from 2016, but also shows that users have a very different view of driving while high than the rest of the population. When the same question was asked of Canadians in general, 73% felt that marijuana use would impair the skills necessary to drive.
"It's clear that those who admit to driving while under the influence of marijuana don't believe it's as dangerous as those who don't. With legalization now imminent the need for more public education and awareness is clear, marijuana is a drug, and like alcohol it affects your abilities and senses," says John Bordignon, Media Relations, State Farm Canada. "Law enforcement and the legal system need the necessary tools and laws in place to ensure the safety of all Canadians on our roads."
Marijuana and impaired driving – survey points:
- 80% say they are concerned about people driving under the influence of marijuana
- 83% feel there is not enough information available about the risks associated with driving under the influence of marijuana
- 3 out of 4 don't believe, or are unsure, that police have the tools and resources to identify marijuana-impaired drivers
- 38% believe that stiffer penalties would discourage people the most from driving while high. This is closely followed by stronger road side testing (30 per cent) which jumped up by 11 per cent when compared to the 2016 survey
- 75% said that people who drive while high should have the same legal penalties as those who drink and drive
- 73% believe that people who drive high should be given an impaired driving (DUI, DWI) charge
- 68% do not feel that the Canadian legal system has made progress over the past year to deal with people who drive under the influence of marijuana, whether in the form of testing, legislation or public awareness
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
The survey also revealed that 86% of Canadians say they have not driven under the influence of a drug, whether prescription or illicit. However, 14% of respondents admit they have driven under the influence of a prescription or over-the-counter drug that was a stimulant or sedative, and 7% of respondents say they have driven under the influence of an opioid (narcotic) medication.
75% of Canadians worry about people driving under the influence of prescription drugs. When asked what age group people associate with prescription drug-impaired driving, respondents were split between people aged 16-25 (27%) and people aged 55 and over (27%). Interestingly, respondents in these two age groups associated their own age bracket with prescription drug-impaired driving the most.
(Source: State Farm)
