Understanding how people decide to drive after using cannabis
Official title: Individual, contextual, and geospatial influences on decisions to drive under the influence of cannabis
Funded at Brown University · NIH-10833478 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what makes people choose to drive after using cannabis, especially as more places are legalizing it, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding the risks of driving under the influence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $679,899 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055654-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10833478 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include frequent and less frequent cannabis users who are willing to share their driving behaviors and cannabis use patterns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cannabis or do not drive may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the factors influencing individuals' decisions to drive under the influence of cannabis, especially in light of increasing cannabis legalization and related traffic fatalities. It aims to identify personal and contextual influences on driving behavior after cannabis use, utilizing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants will provide data through smartphone assessments that track their cannabis use, mood, and driving behavior in real-time, alongside GPS tracking to monitor their vehicle movements. The study seeks to enhance our understanding of the risks associated with driving under the influence of cannabis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health strategies and policies aimed at reducing cannabis-related traffic accidents.
How similar studies have gone: While research on cannabis and driving is ongoing, this study employs novel methodologies that have shown promise in preliminary data but are not widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metrik, Jane — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Metrik, Jane
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.