Approaches to Measuring Cannabis Use in Injury Research: Beyond Drug Detection

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review examines the challenges of measuring the effect of acute cannabis use as it relates to injury risk. This is relevant for researchers, particularly those studying drug-impaired driving, and practitioners such as those measuring impairment in workplaces or at the roadside.Recent FindingsEmerging research clarifies the challenges of linking drug levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the body to the level of psychomotor and neurocognitive impairment, given individual differences in drug effects and tolerance. Without knowing more about the individual, such as information about the pattern of cannabis use, the levels of THC in the blood do not provide an indication of impairment, and therefore, do not indicate the relationship between drug use and injury risk.SummaryFuture research should focus on measuring drug impairment, beyond drug detection, and identify novel ways of measuring impairment that have application for injury prevention.
Source: Current Epidemiology Reports - Category: Epidemiology Source Type: research