As of mid‑2025, Wyoming has neither medical nor recreational cannabis legalization. The only legal exception is for hemp-derived CBD (≤ 0.3% THC), allowed since 2019 under state and federal guidan
Possession of any amount of psychoactive cannabis is illegal. Possessing under 3 oz is a misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail and $1,000 fine), while over that amount carries felony status and harsher penalties. Driving under the influence of cannabis may result in additional misdemeanor penalties (up to six months in jail, $750 fine) and harsher consequences for motor vehicle operation.
Despite strong public interest — over 50% support legalization per several UW studies — legislative efforts in 2022 and 2023 failed to advance, and city-level decriminalization attempts have been rejected.
Why Wyoming Can’t Yet Show a Trend in Cannabis-Related Accidents
Since marijuana isn’t legal here, no reliable data exists on cannabis-positive crashes or DUI incidents tied to state-wide legalization.
- Most data from other states (Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts) come post-legalization.
- Wyoming hasn’t had dispensaries, state legalization, or regulated recreational use — meaning no official crash stats associated with legal cannabis exist here.
- Any observed cannabis in accidents likely stems from illegal use or cross-state transport, but law enforcement doesn’t track this as legalization-driven; there’s no baseline for comparison.
What U.S. Studies Say — Mixed Findings on Cannabis & Crash Risk
Even in states with legalization, data is inconclusive:
a) No significant rise in crash risk
- A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found no higher crash risk for drivers with detectable THC than sober drivers, controlling for age, gender, race, and alcohol.
- Some controlled studies suggest cannabis users may drive more cautiously (slower speeds, braking earlier), potentially offsetting impairment .
b) Other studies show elevated risk
- A 2012 meta-analysis in BMJ found that using cannabis within 3 hours nearly doubles crash risk.
- Some state-level research (Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts) noted significant increases in fatal crashes involving cannabis post-legalization.
c) Limitations & nuance
- THC levels are not reliably linked to impairment — unlike alcohol — so law enforcement often uses metabolite detection, which can show past use without current intoxication.
- Multiple factors—age, use patterns, polysubstance use—confound results, making causality challenging to determine.
Why Wyoming Needs Its Own Data — And What That Might Look Like
a) Post‑legalization surveillance
If Wyoming ever legalizes cannabis, researchers would need to track crash statistics before and after implementation, adjusted for:
- alcohol involvement
- driver demographics
- rural vs. urban setting
- law enforcement policies
- cross-border traffic
b) Requiring cannabis-specific testing and reporting
Right now, Wyoming’s crash reports do not typically test for cannabinoids unless suspicion arises. Standardized post-crash testing would be essential in any future cannabis regulatory framework.
c) Public safety campaigns and law changes
States with legalization often pair it with education campaigns, law enforcement training, and “per se” or impairment-based laws. Wyoming’s current refusal to legalize means these supports are also absent.
Learnings from Nearby Legal States
Even without legal cannabis, Wyoming observes spillover effects:
- Cross-border traffic increase: Law enforcement in Sheridan County and others have noted higher traffic from residents illegally transporting cannabis from Colorado/Montana .
- Police concern: Sherriffs warn that legalization elsewhere has correlated with increased usage and seizure of cannabis near state lines.
- Public health lessons: States with legalization have had to implement enhanced DUI laws, roadside testing protocols, and public awareness campaigns around impairment.
Is Legalization Causing More Accidents? Not in Wyoming — Yet
No legalization = no legalization-driven accidents in-state.
Illegal use still occurs, but isn’t systematically linked to crashes.
Without legalization and supporting infrastructure (regulation, tracking, testing), Wyoming lacks both the exposure and the data needed to demonstrate a causal link between legalization and increased accidents.
If Wyoming Ever Legalizes — Key Recommendations
- Mandate baseline and ongoing crash data collection, including THC and alcohol levels.
- Combine per se limits with impairment-based laws, informed by up-to-date research.
- Launch public education on impaired driving risks — both cannabis and alcohol.
- Train law enforcement on cannabis-specific impairment detection.
- Monitor accident trends post-legalization, controlling for other factors like alcohol or distracted driving.
Key Takeaways
- Cannabis remains strictly illegal in Wyoming; thus, no data exists on legalization-driven crashes.
- National studies show mixed results: some indicate no increased crash risk, others show significant changes post-legalization.
- If legalization eventually occurs, careful planning in crash data collection, DUI law reform, enforcement training, and public messaging will be vital to ensure road safety.
Conclusion
At present, no legalization means no legalization-linked increase in car accidents in Wyoming. The debate about cannabis-impaired driving remains largely theoretical within the state. Future changes to the law should prioritize robust safety measures, data tracking, and public education — drawing from the mixed experiences of other U.S. states.