Researchers from Temple University and the University of Arkansas examined the impact of legal medical cannabis on road safety using car insurance data. Their findings reveal a positive effect on accident rates.
It may seem counterintuitive, but legalizing medical cannabis appears to enhance road safety. This study, published in Health Economics, notes that most prior research focuses on fatal crashes. "In 2016, only 37,461 of the approximately 7,277,000 car accidents reported to police were fatal," the authors write. "Existing studies thus overlook 99.5% of accidents."
To gain a fuller picture, the team analyzed car insurance premiums, which cover 67% of medical and property damage from accidents. "This approach provides a more complete view," they explain.
Focusing on data from 2014-2019, researchers found that medical cannabis legalization lowered premiums by an average of $22 USD per policy annually. The effect was stronger near dispensaries, "suggesting greater access drives these outcomes."
Notably, regions with high pre-legalization drunk driving rates saw sharper premium drops, saving affected policyholders about $500 million. "Using premium expense ratios, annual savings from reduced medical costs total roughly $220 million," the study states.
The authors hypothesize that medical cannabis users drive less under the influence of alcohol. "Bars have no cannabis equivalent, and laws require consumption at private residences," they note. "Co-use likely occurs at home."
This remains a theory; further research is needed to confirm these results and explore other factors.
