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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Impairment due to cannabis and ethanol: clinical signs and additive effects


Studies have shown that the impairing effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are dose-related. Cannabis intake increases the risk of traffic accidents.

The purpose of this study was to see how different clinical tests and observations were related to blood THC concentrations and to determine whether the combined influence of THC and ethanol was different from either drug alone.


This study demonstrates that cannabis impairs driving ability in a concentration-related manner. The effect is smaller than for ethanol. The effect of ethanol and cannabis taken simultaneously is additive. Conjunctival injection, dilated pupils and slow pupil reaction are among the few signs to reveal THC influence.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: j.g.bramness@medisin.uio.no
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