Monash Expert: NSW government to introduce medicinal cannabis driving reforms
Monash University Accident Research Centre
Monash Expert: NSW government to introduce medicinal cannabis driving reforms
The NSW Government is set to introduce landmark reforms to drug driving laws that would establish a legal threshold for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the psychoactive compound in cannabis, for drivers holding a valid prescription, thereby providing an avenue to drive lawfully.
A Monash University expert is available to comment regarding these reforms.
Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris, Monash University Accident Research Centre
Contact: +61 428 522 784 or [email protected]
- Drug driving and prescription drug driving
- Legal alcohol limits
- Alcohol and other drugs as a contributing factor in serious injury crashes
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Fitzharris:
"These planned reforms represent an important advance in balancing road safety with the needs of medicinal cannabis users, with important safeguards built into the system that protect the integrity of the drug driving enforcement program.
Being a world first in setting a roadside THC limit, this is a profound change, analogous to the introduction of the blood alcohol limit, and will assist police in keeping the community safe.
The proposed changes also include the development and implementation of a medical cannabis user registration system, as well as an online education program about cannabis and driving safety.
The exclusion of learner and provisional drivers and commercial drivers, is an important protection for road safety, as is the requirement to have a 0.0 BAC and have no other illicit drugs detected.
As planned, a review of the impacts on both road safety and mobility at the 12-month mark will be essential to determine whether any refinements are needed, including to the THC concentration threshold that has been set. It will be important to closely monitor implementation proactively to ensure the reforms achieve their intended outcomes.”
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
The Monash University Accident Research Centre
Media contact number: +61 3 9905 4020
Through excellence in injury prevention research and translation, we support, challenge and engage citizens, communities, governments and industry to eliminate injury from all causes.The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has a strong history of excellence in safety science research, research training and education, both professional and academic. The scope of MUARC’s work has encompassed road and transport safety, injury prevention and community safety and disaster resilience.
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