In a recent story we took a look at how stoned drivers performed behind the wheel. Since Colorado voters legalized recreational marijuana, other states are watching with great interest to see how impaired driving statistics would change. Anti-marijuana advocates have warned "drugged drivers" would lead to an increase of traffic fatalities on Colorado roads.
Anti-pot members of SAM recently pointed out Washington state drivers testing positive for marijuana had jumped by 33% right before the first dispensary opened its doors.
When we hear criticisms about stoned drivers, there's a bit of missing context. When testing for marijuana, law enforcement officers are only testing for the presence of marijuana metabolites, not for impaired motor skills or judgment. Metabolites can hang around longer in the body for days (or weeks) after the effects of marijuana have worn off.
Because every person metabolizes marijuana differently, all that can be determined by a positive test is that the driver had smoked pot some time in the last few days, or weeks. Not that their driving ability is impaired.
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It is not the legalization that is the issue
ReplyDeleteIt is the timing
The administration just wants to keep us high so we don't care
what goes on. One day we straighten up and our country will be changed
forever. There won't be enough pot to cover that up.
I don't think the administration cares what you do 7:06
ReplyDeletethere's already plenty of booze and opioids around to keep every citizen fogged up for years
In Maryland, they can actually imprison you if you fail a drug test and admit that you've consumed cannabis.
internal possession
The GOP lost, looked like the WWF.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol is the killer on the roads.
ReplyDelete