A Crain's Detroit Business article, "Federal Restrictions limit marijuana research in Michigan," includes reporting on the driving simulation lab of WSU Applebaum Professor Randall Commissaris. While limited by federal laws, Commissaris is studying the reaction time of people under the influence of marijuana or alcohol.

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Excerpted from Crain's:

Commissaris said the driving simulation places subjects in a 2001 Chevy Impala and presents a road filled with obstacles to drive around.

"We collect data in a flight data-type recorder and look at driving performance using cannabis and while drinking," he said. "We worked with medical marijuana patients for two years, but in December 2018 when recreational became legal we started working with them."

Under the influence or marijuana or alcohol, the reaction time is longer, but much of it depends on how much is consumed and their tolerance level.

"We are still studying everything, but we are seeing a greater tolerance level with marijuana than alcohol," he said. "If the subject has a history with marijuana they are less affected in the driving test. There is a little evidence of that with alcohol but more with marijuana."

Commissaris said Wayne State is planning to begin studies on edible cannabis products.

"There is not enough research on cannabis," he said. "We want to do more, but it is complicated because the products and plants are highly variable in concentration."

Another study is being conducted by Christine Rabinak, an associate professor in the WSU pharmacy college, who is conducting a study on the use of cannabis on (post-traumatic stress disorder) patients.

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