The rapid spread of recreational marijuana laws has brought about a wave of social, political, and legal changes but for younger drivers, those changes may be coming with unexpected consequences. A study by The Texas Law Dog reveals a concerning trend: fatal car crashes are rising in states with legal cannabis, and the age group most affected may be the nation’s youngest drivers.

Cannabis Normalization Meets Adolescent Risk

Recreational marijuana was illegal in all 50 states as recently as 2011. As of 2025, half the country permits its adult use. While much of the national conversation has focused on criminal justice reform and medical freedom, less attention has been paid to how changing attitudes around marijuana are affecting drivers under 30.

The Texas Law Dog’s study shows that cannabis-related crash fatalities have risen significantly in states where recreational marijuana is legal. In states like Oregon, Alaska, and Colorado, increases range from 16% to 22% since legalization. These spikes correlate closely with increasing cannabis use among young adults.

According to the study, 85% of cannabis users report driving the same day they consume the drug. Over 50% admit to getting behind the wheel within an hour. And with nearly one in five Americans aged 12 or older reporting marijuana use as of 2019 up from 11% in 2002 the likelihood that young people are disproportionately represented in these figures is high.

Cognitive Impairment Behind the Wheel

Driving under the influence of marijuana is no safer for teens or twenty-somethings than it is for adults. In fact, the effects of cannabis slowed reaction times, impaired coordination, and reduced judgment may be more pronounced in inexperienced drivers.

The Texas Law Dog study underscores this risk, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that cannabis was present in 33% of fatal crashes, surpassing even alcohol (29%) for the first time. This shift is not just a statistical anomaly it’s a public health warning.

Peer Influence and Misinformation

The study reveals that 70% of marijuana users agree it’s highly dangerous to drive within an hour of consuming cannabis. Despite that, a large percentage still choose to drive.

The disconnect may stem from flawed perceptions of enforcement. Nearly 30% of users believe police cannot tell if they’re under the influence. And unlike alcohol, cannabis doesn’t carry the same stigma among younger users, who may view it as less risky or less punishable.

There’s also a strong belief among users that their peer group wouldn’t approve of high driving 93% say friends and family would disapprove. But these social pressures don’t appear to be strong enough to change behavior.

Poly-Substance Use Among Younger Drivers

One complicating factor is the rise in drivers using more than one substance. Prior to the pandemic, 18% of drivers in fatal crashes tested positive for multiple drugs. Since then, that number has climbed to 25%.

The combination of cannabis and alcohol particularly among younger drivers who may be less experienced at managing the effects presents a major enforcement and safety challenge.

Different Laws, Different Outcomes

Interestingly, states with medical-only marijuana programs have seen reductions in crash rates an 8–11% drop in traffic fatalities, according to the report. But in states with legalized recreational cannabis, crash rates rose by 4–6%.

This disparity suggests that recreational availability, especially without adequate education or enforcement, creates an environment where impaired driving becomes more common particularly among younger people drawn to easy access and social acceptance.

Policy Implications for Younger Demographics

To address the growing risk among young drivers, policymakers should consider age-specific interventions:

• Cannabis education campaigns in high schools and universities
• Stricter THC thresholds or zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21
• More robust enforcement of impaired driving for first-time offenders
• Investment in next-generation roadside testing technology
• Inclusion of cannabis impairment in driver’s ed curriculum

These changes would acknowledge that legalization doesn’t erase risk it requires new tools to manage it.

Driving Toward a Safer Future

The legalization of marijuana has ushered in a new era of cultural acceptance, but it has also opened new public safety concerns especially for younger, more impressionable drivers. The Texas Law Dog’s analysis makes a strong case that today’s roads are more dangerous, not just because of policy change, but because of how those changes are interpreted and acted upon by America’s youth.

If legalization is to continue, education, enforcement, and technology must keep pace. Otherwise, the road will remain a dangerous place for the country’s newest generation of drivers.