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Cannabis is legal in Canada, so we want to make sure everyone uses it responsibly. Make a plan, and don’t drive high.
CAA has compiled evidence-based information and resources on edibles to help you and your loved-ones stay safe on the road.
Ingesting cannabis can delay your reaction time, making you a worse driver. Don’t drive high, plan ahead.
Eating an edible can affect you longer than inhaling cannabis. And while research varies, edibles may remain in your system for up to 12 hours. Edibles may cause a different or delayed type of high compared to smoking, and as such, it is important to know your plans before eating anything. Schedule rideshare, have a designated driver, or spend the evening at home – just don’t get behind the wheel.
If consuming edibles, the initial effects can be delayed, depending on the amount of edibles you have ingested and their level of THC. Ingesting edibles on a full or empty stomach can also determine the amount of time it takes to feel the effects. After consuming an edible stay in a safe, comfortable place.
Read the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction’s 7 things you need to know about edible cannabis.
False. Driving under the influence of cannabis affects your ability to drive safely and you’re at a greater risk of getting into a collision.
False. 45% of incidents happen near the home. Driving in a familiar setting makes drivers less attentive, and cannabis has been shown to reduce a driver’s concentration.
False. Police officers across Canada can administer roadside tests to check for impairment. These can include testing devices or calling in specially trained drug recognition officers.
One in 5 Canadians report having either driven high or been a passenger with a high driver, according to CAA polling. CAA’s new national campaign is focused on young Canadians, the highest risk group for cannabis-impaired driving.
The campaign highlights how everyday tasks, like tying your shoes, grabbing a snack, or answering the door, can feel unexpectedly difficult after consuming an edible.
These scenarios are used to reinforce a clear safety message: If You Can’t Drive Your Body, You Can’t Drive Your Car.
The study found that critical driving skills, such as reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control, were impaired. Notably, the risk of collisions increased after consuming cannabis edibles. At just 1.5 hours post-consumption, nearly one-third (30%) of participants were involved in a collision.
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The research found that driving performance declined significantly, in key areas such as reaction time, even five hours after inhaling the equivalent of less than one joint. The participants’ driving performance, tested in a driving simulator, deteriorated as soon as they were exposed to common road distractions.
Download study