Key Milestones

2010

Obtained the first Virage Driving Simulator at CAMH

2011

First driving simulator study using higher-potency cannabis to assess residual effects up to 48 hours

2015

First Canadian study of combined effects of alcohol and smoked cannabis on driving using modern driving simulation technology

2016

First study of the effects of medical cannabis on driving

2018

Purchased Second Virage Driving Simulator

2018

First study to directly compare age groups for cannabis effects on simulated driving

2020

First placebo-controlled lab study of the effects of commercially-available edibles on driving

2021

First study of combined effects of cannabis and tobacco on driving

2021

First study of the effects of cannabis on driving in adults over 65 years of age

2024

Added third Virage Driving Simulator

2024

First study of the 'morning after' effects of cannabis on driving and the relationship to blood and oral fluid THC

2025

First study of the effects of psychedelics on driving

Publications

Selected publications

Cannabis and Driving

  • Brands, B., Zaweel, A., Wright, M., Di Ciano, P., Wickens, C.M., Matheson, J., Fares, A., Hasan, O., Sanches, M., Sproule, B., Huestis, M., Brown, T., & Le Foll, B. (2026) Potency-related effects of smoked cannabis on simulated driving performance: a randomized, controlled crossover trial. Scientific Reports, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-43045-2. Read here

  • Di Ciano, P., Rajji, T. K., Hong, L., Zhao, S., Byrne, P., Elzohairy, Y., Brubacher, J. R., McGrath, M., Brands, B., Chen, S., Wang, W., Hasan, O. S. M., Wickens, C. M., Kaduri, P., & Le Foll, B. (2024). Cannabis and driving in older adults. JAMA Network Open, 7(1):e2352233. Read here

  • Brands, B., Mann, R.E., Wickens, C.M., Sproule, B., Stoduto, G., Sayer, G.S., Burston, J., Pan, J.F., Matheson, J., Stefan, C., George, T.P., Huestis, M., Rehm, J., & Le Foll, B. (2019) Acute and residual effects of smoked cannabis: Impact on driving speed and lateral control, heart rate, and self-reported drug effects. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, (205) 107641, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107641. Read here

Alcohol and Cannabis Combined and Driving

  • Fares, A., Wickens, C.M., Mann, R.E., Di Ciano, P., Wright, M., Matheson, J., Hasan, O., Rehm, J., George, T.P., Samokhvalov, A.V., Shuper, P.A., Huestis, M.A., Stoduto, G., Brown, T., Stefan, C., Rubin-Kahana, D.S., Le Foll, B., & Brands, B. (2022). Combined effect of alcohol and cannabis on simulated driving. Psychopharmacology (239) 1263–1277, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05773-3. Read here

See our research publications database for all publications by the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research

IMHPR Publications Database
Click here

In the media

Selected media appearances

Alcohol and Driving

Cannabis and Driving

Alcohol and Cannabis Combined and Driving

  • CAMH clinical trial is examining the effects of alcohol and cannabis combined on driver behaviour - Toronto Star

Aggressive Driving

Take a virtual tour
Watch the video
Behind the wheel: Inside Canada's Leading Driving Research Lab
Read the article

Sharing our knowledge

Selected Resources

Cannabis and Driving

Impaired driving remains a significant public safety concern in Canada with an estimated one-third to half of all motor vehicle fatalities involving a driver who had consumed alcohol or drugs. Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018, impairment through cannabis consumption is an especially growing problem. Drivers under the influence of cannabis tend to drive more slowly than when sober, do more 'weaving', and have a slower reaction.

Learn more by exploring one of our resources:

  • Educational Video on understanding your risk related to cannabis and driving
  • FAQs on how cannabis affects driving
  • Infographic on understanding your risk related to cannabis and driving
  • Infographic on how long cannabis affects driving