States with Legal Cannabis See Fewer Impaired Drivers
A recent study published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports found that states with legal cannabis have less impaired driving. Researchers from the nonprofit group RTI International used data from drivers self-reporting if they ever drove while under the influence of cannabis. Compared to non-legal states, those with legal recreational and medical marijuana programs had fewer drivers reporting to have gotten behind the wheel within 3 hours of consuming cannabis. The only exception, according to the report, was those who reportedly use cannabis for medical reasons as they tend to consume it more frequently. The study concluded that one possible reason for this is the focus on public education to discourage driving under the influence in states with legal marijuana. Another contributing factor may be labeling requirements in legal states that advise drivers not to consume before getting behind the wheel of their vehicle.
Recent Survey Finds Canadian Cannabis Producers are Considered Some of the Least Reputable Corporations
According to recent survey results, Canadians view cannabis producers as among the least reputable corporations. According to Leger, the Quebec-based analytics and market research company that conducted the study, that is a slight improvement over previous studies they have conducted on corporate reputation. Leger used a “score” to determine the reputation of the companies in the study. The survey measured the reputation score of approximately 300 companies in Canada and found cannabis producers rank around petroleum companies. This is in large part because these producers are not household names and are fairly unknown to the general public.
Lawmakers in Louisiana Vote to Expand Medical Marijuana
Last week, Louisiana’s House Committee on Health and Welfare approved legislation to redesignate the authority over the state’s medical cannabis program. The measure, House Bill 566, was sponsored by Republican Representative Larry Bagley and was passed unanimously by committee members. House Bill 566 shifts licensing and regulatory authority from the state’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry to the Louisiana Department of Health. The legislation also removes the current limit of two production licenses, effectively expanding cultivation for the medical marijuana program. The hope is that more growers for the state would also mean less expensive cannabis for patients.
