Mississippi is one of several states that will consider proposals to legalize medical marijuana later this year. It is somewhat predictable that Mississippi might be a state on the forefront of this issue given that Mississippi is a producer of medical marijuana. The University of Mississippi has long functioned as a marijuana research facility. Ole Miss even grows and ships medical marijuana for use in other states where use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal provided it is prescribed by a physician. Ole Miss even receives federal funds to promote research and production of medical marijuana. Mississippi has also decriminalized marijuana up to thirty grams.
Despite where one stands on merits of legalizing medical marijuana, one issue that must be considered is how it might impact accidents involving impaired drivers. Alcohol, which is legal and readily accessible to Mississippi adults, accounts for over 10,000 traffic related fatalities per year and accounts for 33 percent of accident related fatalities in Mississippi. Alcohol is the most prevalent factor in collisions that result in injury or fatalities throughout the U.S.
One is left to wonder why we should be more optimistic that the legalization of medical marijuana would not result in an analogous surge in Mississippi car accidents caused by impaired drivers. Some medical marijuana proponents argue that marijuana can be distinguished from alcohol use because it will only be legal for medical reasons. It is theorized that because alcohol is used exclusively for recreational use this is why it results in a high rate of drunk driving. It is also argued that drivers using medical marijuana may have less impairment of driving ability than those who consume alcohol.
A recent study suggests that this rather dubious differentiation may not have any basis in fact. The recent study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that drivers who had used marijuana were twice as likely to be involved in an auto accident then drivers who were not under the influence of marijuana. However, another recent study conducted by professors at the Universities of Colorado and Montana, which analyzed 19 years of data involving fatal accidents, found that accidents rates have declined by ten percent in states that have legalized medical marijuana. The authors of the study argue that this does not simply reflect declining accident rates in states where medical marijuana is legal because alcohol related accident rates have remained relatively constant in these states.
The argument that somehow the clinical role of marijuana makes a difference is also questionable because of the growing number of motor vehicle accidents caused by drivers under the influence of prescription medications. The theory that somehow limiting use to therapeutic purposes will prevent the drug from being ingested before motorist drive would seem to be no more valid than with prescription medications.
Law enforcement and public safety advocates argue that driving under the influence of any substance that causes impairment is dangerous. Many car accidents are caused by some form of drug, including alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and illegal narcotics. Those who oppose legalization of marijuana believe that anything that increases access or use of a drug will result in an increase in accidents involving impaired drivers.
If you have suffered serious injury caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you should seek immediate legal advice. Most personal injury law firms in Mississippi offer a free consultation with no obligation so that they can assess the value of your claim, and you can obtain information about your options. The experienced Mississippi personal injury attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing effective representation to Mississippi personal injury victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.