Georgia Injury Law Blog
Georgia continues to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana for recreational use. While there is a very narrow exception for use of marijuana for medical purposes, the statute is not nearly has broad as found in many other states. Accordingly, marijuana is not as readily available in Georgia compared to other states that have fully legalized marijuana for all purposes or fully legalized marijuana to medical use. As the findings of a new study shows, this may be for the good since legalization of marijuana is linked to an increase in the number of auto accident personal injuries.
The information comes from a new study that was conducted in Canada. In 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes. According to the study, that decision has resulted in a significant increase in the number of auto accident injuries that are serious enough to lead to a visit to the emergency room.
The study is quick to affirm that marijuana – related emergency room visits after car accidents are still uncommon, but the percentage of such auto accidents has been skyrocketing since the 2018 legalization of marijuana. According to the study, there has been a 475% increase in car accident personal injuries linked to marijuana use, with the increase being even sharper following the 2018 legalization of marijuana. On the other hand, there has not been a similar increase in the number of alcohol – related car accident personal injuries resulting in emergency room visits during the same period of time.