Medicinal Cannabis Track Trial
The medicinal cannabis track trial, being conducted by Swinburne University, is taking place on a closed-circuit track mimicking real-world driving conditions.
Researchers will review participants’ ability to manage distractions and assess their driving performance including steering, braking and speed control.
Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial and a number of process and protections will be in place to ensure the safety of participants and others at the track.
Trial Update
Recruitment of adults with a medicinal cannabis prescription for the study has concluded.
Recruitment for control participants will commence in early 2026.
Why are we running the trial?
Medicinal cannabis is increasingly used for its potential therapeutic benefits. Medicinal cannabis products typically contain varying concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
There is limited evidence about the impact of prescribed THC-containing medicinal cannabis on real-world driver performance.
Currently, it is illegal in Victoria to drive with any detectable amount of THC, the active compound in medicinal cannabis – which can remain in a person’s system for several days after they take their prescribed medication.
While work has been undertaken to understand the impacts of THC on impairment, significant gaps exist in our understanding of the impacts of medicinal cannabis (containing THC) on driving performance.
Victoria is home to the first study of its kind in the world that will look at the impacts of patients prescribed medicinal cannabis driving in real-world conditions.
The outcomes of this study will add to the evidence-base and knowledge needed to determine if Victorians who are prescribed medicinal cannabis (containing THC) can be in control of a vehicle without compromising their safety, or the safety of other road users.
Updated