Driving After Marijuana Use Among US College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents and college-aged adults account for a large proportion of the United States population and are susceptible to drugs, including marijuana. Since the late 1960s in the United States, numerous states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. These recent policy changes may alter people’s attitudes and behaviors about marijuana use, particularly young adults. The expansion of state-level marijuana legalization may also increase accessibility in younger populations and increase reckless driving behavior associated with marijuana use, including driving after marijuana use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents and young adults experienced heightened stress and anxiety, which have significantly contributed to increased drug use and increased risk behaviors that are positively associated with increased drug use, including drug-impaired driving. However, no published studies have investigated marijuana use among adolescents and young adults and driving after marijuana use among college-aged adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.