Rubber has hit the road in a world-first medicinal cannabis driving trial, as Victoria's government investigates if users can steer safely.
The trial, led by Swinburne University and backed by a $4.9-million state grant, aims to understand how tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the psychoactive compound in medicinal cannabis - impacts driving performance and risk on the road.
The trial will test drivers' steering, braking and speed control and assess their ability to handle distractions at a Melbourne driver training centre.
All participants will be accompanied by a qualified driving instructor with dual controls to take over if required.
The trial was open to people prescribed cannabis for a sleep disorder, chronic pain or a mental health condition for at least six months.
The study will include impairment screenings before and after test drives.
Prescription cannabis has been available in Australia since 2016, and is used by more than 700,000 people to manage cancer treatment, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other medical conditions.
Victoria's upper house recently passed legislation to end automatic licence bans for medicinal users caught driving with traces of cannabis in their system.
THC can be detected more than a week after it is consumed, which has landed authorised users with bans and hefty fines, despite debatable impairment at the time of driving.
From March 1 2025, magistrates will have discretion to determine if the driver was impaired at the wheel.
