Hartford Hospital Researchers Studying Marijuana Use and Driving

Hartford Hospital Institute of Living is conducting a federally-funded research study regarding marijuana use and driving. Volunteers were sought to take part in the study. The Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center is the location of the study.

The study will look at how marijuana affects the brain as people drive, according to Hartford Courant. Another study looks at ways that law enforcement can conduct roadside tests to determine marijuana intoxication levels. Police continue to have difficulty determining if someone is too stoned to drive.

Co-leader of the research team, Michael Stevens said, “It’s becoming a huge thing.”

Hartford Hospital’s research team is one of only two federally funded projects. Due to its 15-years’ experience studying brain function and driving is a reason for the facility’s selection. The study will last five years. The National Institute on Drug Abuse will fund the study.

A $1.4-million grant has been given to Hartford Hospital to conduct this study. A second study to create a test for marijuana intoxication is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This study’s funding is $740,000.

The marijuana for this study is provided by the federal facility in Mississippi. After nine months of waiting for approval, the hospital finally gained federal approval to use the marijuana in the studies.

The Olin Center’s studies are the first to be federally funded for recreational marijuana-related concerns.

The study will look at how using marijuana affects a person’s ability to think, remember and react when driving.

Dr. Godfrey Pearlson said, “You need to be able to react quickly to changing situations. It’s far from simple behavior.”

Since the study’s announcement, it has received over 150 volunteers wanting to take part. The chosen volunteers get free, government-issued marijuana and snacks. Those chosen participate for three days. The volunteers must also agree to multiple blood and saliva tests.

These volunteers are already marijuana users as this was the only way to gain funding. Those that have never used marijuana are not candidates. Several doses, varying in strength, are given to each participant. Accurate doses are delivered via vaporizer to each participant.

According to Stevens, it may take several years of research to have a scientific-based answer to how brain function while driving is affected by using marijuana.