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Comment by integraton | Hacker News Reader

> drive under the influence

The research about Marijuana's impact on driving is inconclusive, but there are indications that it might have no negative impact (for the most recent example: https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1667...) and even that it might reduce risks of crashes.

As a result, it's unfortunate that it's apparently socially acceptable to assume without question that marijuana has a negative impact on driving. New research could still demonstrate that it does not, just as new research has been strongly suggesting that our other assumptions are likely flawed. If marijuana is found to not be dangerous for drivers, then it will very unfortunate that we've promoted yet another misconception about it due to unchecked assumptions.

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I couldn't disagree more strongly with the claim that it's "unfortunate" for people to assume, in the absence of strong evidence to the contrary, that drugs associated with impaired cognitive function probably don't mix with activity as potentially lethal as driving.

Especially since the balance of the evidence you've linked to appears to support that assumption.

It's not as if "there is at least some level of marijuana use incompatible with driving" is exactly an extraordinary claim; the burden of proof for establishing parameters for a "safe" level of high whilst in control of a vehicle really ought to sit with proponents of smoking and driving.

Put another way, jumping to the conclusion that driving under the influence of marijuana isn't safe isn't likely to kill people if it's incorrect.

That position depends on the assumption that criminalization is benign. However, it's entirely possible that criminalization harms more lives and creates a greater strain on society than the act itself, as has very likely been the case with the broader criminalization of marijuana.

Defaulting to the position of criminalization regardless of the evidence, particularly in this context given the history and impact of existing marijuana policy, will likely perpetuate the creation of flawed policy.

No. Just, no. Speaking from my own experience, and that of my friends, marijuana can make you a shittier driver. I very much doubt the current scientific consensus is that marijuana in general makes you a better driver. It is possible that there are some strains with a certain cannabinoid ratio that has a minimal impact (like low in THC), but there are other strains that have a major impact.

You are responding to a post with a link to research by countering with anecdotal evidence. The parent also never said that "the current scientific consensus is that marijuana in general makes you a better driver". That's a total distortion of the comment was saying.

I, for one, think we should be open to actually studying the topic instead of baselessly and unscientifically concluding that driving under the influence of marijuana is equally as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.

The plural of anecdote isn't data.

Nor is it evidence

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