The nation’s most liberal driving-while-high bill was rejected by the Colorado state Senate on Monday, with members of the opposition claiming “hazy science” among their reasons.
While driving while impaired by drugs is already illegal across the country, some Colorado legislators suggested the creation of an “impairments standard” under which drivers could only be charged with DUI if they had 5 or more nanograms per milliliter of blood of THC while operating a vehicle. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis.
Sponsors of the bill argued that the increased amount of MMJ use in Colorado is causing danger on the roads.
Senator Steve King (R – Grand Junction) accused the marijuana industry of failing to adequately educate the public about the risks of driving – or operating any heavy machinery – while high.
“Why have we never seen them step up like the alcohol industry and say, ‘Hey, if you’re going to smoke THC marijuana, smoke responsibly?’” King asked. “Why have we never seen them run an ad that says, ‘Friends don’t let friends drive high?’”
The outright rejection of this bill comes after the Senate Judiciary Committee had already amended the bill to make it a study on marijuana impairment. Now, the bill is likely dead for the year, as the Colorado Legislature adjourns for the year on Wednesday.
What?! One: How can anyone say they have not seen any ads from the MMJ industry on not driving high, THE MEDIA DOES NOT ALLOW PRO-CANNABIS TV ADS TO GO ON AIR, so they are only aired via internet (I did my own search online for the don’t drive high ads, and found several from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter)
Two: What about mentioning more about the dangers of driving while using heavy prescription drugs? When they do mention it on their TV ads, anyone else ever notice how they speed-talk through the dangers and symptoms so not all the words are caught by the most people…
AND, if they really want to talk about the alcohol industry; how about mentioning the number of people are killed due to alcohol related instances!
It is awful that having any amount of thc in your system may be considered a dui. We need to establish clearer guidelines for patients so that we can understand what is expected of us.
I agree with lindzzz, we need to have a better system in place. With new labeling on cannabis products it may be helpful with knowing the THC level in order to manage MMJ use before driving. If any amount is deemed a DUI it may come down to not driving while medicating and relying on friends or taxis to get around.