Healthcare Technologies to Address Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Marijuana

Introduction

In recent years, the utilization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes has experienced a marked surge in popularity across the United States, coinciding with a growing number of states endorsing its legal usage, as underscored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020). Concurrently, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2020), marijuana consumption has seen a notable upswing, particularly among young adults, with an estimated 22.2 million individuals self-reporting marijuana usage in 2019. This heightened prevalence of marijuana consumption has invariably contributed to an elevated incidence of marijuana-impaired driving.

The consumption of marijuana edibles has witnessed a significant increase in recent years, with notable implications for public health and safety (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). In contrast to the rapid effects experienced from smoking marijuana, the onset of edibles' effects is considerably delayed, typically taking between 1 to 3 hours to manifest (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). This delay arises from the metabolic process whereby food-based cannabis products are absorbed into the bloodstream through the liver (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016).Consequently, users may inadvertently ingest larger quantities of the drug, believing it to be ineffective due to the delayed onset (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). This prolonged effect latency, combined with the absence of standardized and precise THC content information on edible products, contributes to the elevated risk of overconsumption and its associated consequences (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016).

One of the paramount concerns with marijuana edibles is the difficulty in accurately measuring THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. In many cases, edible products lack consistent and reliable THC content labeling, making it challenging for users to gauge their dosage accurately (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). This lack of transparency compounds the risks associated with edible consumption, as users may inadvertently ingest excessive quantities of THC, heightening the potential for adverse effects and complications (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). Furthermore, when individuals have other medications in their system, the intricate interplay between these substances can result in unpredictable THC metabolism, leading to a dangerous five-fold escalation of THC levels in the bloodstream (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016).

The repercussions of consuming excessive amounts of marijuana edibles can be severe and distinct from those associated with smoking marijuana (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016).Overdose symptoms frequently manifest as intense psychotic episodes, hallucinations, profound paranoia, panic attacks, and pronounced impairment of motor abilities (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016). These symptoms are notably more severe and distressing than those arising from a comparable overdose of smoked marijuana. The delayed onset and unpredictability of edible effects, coupled with the challenges in monitoring and controlling THC dosage, underscore the pressing need for heightened awareness and regulation in the realm of marijuana edibles to mitigate the potential dangers associated with their consumption (Reboussin et al., 2019; Calandrillo & Fulton, 2019; Friese et al., 2016).