Two new studies have found the number of highway crashes has increased in states where marijuana has been legalized.
The studies found highway crashes have increased by 6 percent in four states that allow the use of recreational marijuana: Nevada, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.
In Massachusetts, where recreational marijuana sales began just over a week ago, the concern for those using marijuana while driving is rising.
“I think it’s foolish for anyone to drive in any kind of state of impairment,” said Thomas Devine of Northampton. “I would certainly advise people who are smoking not to drive.”
Research has found that using marijuana slows reaction time and your ability to make decisions which increases your chance of getting into an accident if you drive high.
Currently, there’s no easy way for police to test if someone is driving while high, but people in Northampton think that should be a top priority for law enforcement now that retail pot sales have started.
“I bet you there will be something like that in the future,” Jeremy Vines of Greenfield said.
Police can still arrest someone who is suspected of driving impaired because of drugs.