The Evolving Landscape of Cannabis Legalization & Its Impact on Traffic Safety

Monday, March 10, 2025

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM PT

Location: 102

Moderator(s)

Bradley Lane

State Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
Seattle City Attorney's Office
Seattle, Washington

Slides

Speaker(s)

Jennifer Cifaldi

IL Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
Univ. IL - Springfield/IL DOT
Quincy, Illinois
Mary Kate Katherine Huffman, J.D.

Judge and National Judicial Fellow
American Bar Association
CENTERVILLE, Ohio

Slides
Ari Briskman, M.A.

DRE Instructor
Lake County, IL Sheriff's Office
Waukegan, Illinois

Since Nixon declared the “War on Drugs” in 1968, public opinion on cannabis has shifted dramatically, with support for legalization rising from 12% in 1969 to 70% in 2023. As of December 2024, 24 states allow recreational use, and 39 permit medicinal use. Legalization often lacks adequate safety measures, leading to unintended consequences and challenges for traffic safety stakeholders. Learn about the psychophysical effects and health impacts of cannabis, necessary safety and regulatory measures, and the impact of decriminalization on impaired driving. Explore innovative responses to these challenges through scenarios and audience participation.