A new study has raised serious concerns about marijuana use and driving, revealing that more than 2 in 5 drivers killed in car crashes in a major Ohio county tested positive for THC — the psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Researchers analyzed coroner data from Montgomery County, Ohio, and found that nearly 42% of deceased drivers between January 2019 and September 2024 had THC in their system at the time of their fatal accident.
Even more alarming, the average THC level in their blood was 30.7 ng/mL, a number far beyond the 2–5 ng/mL legal limit used in many states.
“I was surprised to see that level,” said lead researcher Dr. Akpofure Ekeh, a professor of surgery at Wright State University, to HealthDay. “An average level of 30.7 ng/mL generally means those people must have consumed marijuana at some time close to driving. This isn’t about residual use; it’s about recent consumption.”
Legalization Not Linked to Rise in THC-Related Fatalities
Interestingly, despite Ohio legalizing recreational marijuana in 2023 — following medical approval in 2016 — the rate of THC-positive fatalities did not increase significantly post-legalization.
According to the study, the percentage of drivers who tested positive for THC before and after the law change remained fairly steady: 42% before vs. 45% after.
“The messaging over the last few years has been just the push towards recreational legalization,” Ekeh explained.
“The problem is that from a public health standpoint, there has not been enough emphasis on some of the downsides and the dangers that can occur. People should treat smoking marijuana just like they treat alcohol: don’t smoke and drive.”
Trump Eyes Weed Reforms as States Expand Access
As the conversation around marijuana safety intensifies, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major shift in federal cannabis policy.
During an August fundraiser, Trump floated the idea of reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, per the Wall Street Journal. Currently grouped with heroin and LSD, a Schedule I status implies no accepted medical use — something critics and advocates alike argue is outdated.
If changed, marijuana’s new classification would recognize its medical value, ease restrictions, and lower tax burdens for cannabis businesses.
“We have a president who has hinted at the possibility of instructing the Attorney General to make changes in the federal classification of marijuana,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML.
“I’m still only cautiously optimistic about federal reform.”
Trump has remained non-committal, telling reporters: "We'll make a determination over the next few weeks."
From Texas to Delaware: States Continue to Expand Cannabis Access
While federal reform hangs in limbo, state-level cannabis momentum is accelerating. In Texas, a state long known for its strict marijuana stance, medical marijuana was officially greenlit in September 2024.
Thanks to House Bill 46, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the new law allows products with up to 10 milligrams of THC per dose and expands eligibility to include chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, and traumatic brain injury.
“Even in some of the reddest of red states, there is a growing acceptance of medical cannabis,” said Armentano.
“They begin as very restrictive, and become less and less restrictive as politicians and others become comfortable with the reality that cannabis is a medicine that can benefit patients.”
Delaware has also entered the cannabis spotlight, launching its recreational marijuana market in August with a staggering $7.3 million in first-month sales.