The prohibition of marijuana is slowly eroding in this country. Every election day, more states and cities move to decriminalize or even legalize both medicinal and recreational use of marijuana. The changing legal landscape of marijuana use brings with it a number of questions. How will crime rates be affected? Will laws against driving while intoxicated need to be amended? As it stands, many states have a “no tolerance” policy, meaning that if any marijuana is in your bloodstream you can be found guilty of driving while intoxicated.
This is problematic for legalized use of marijuana, since it may be present on a blood test long after a user finishes experiencing cognitive effects or impairment. Further, a recent study concluded that smoking marijuana does not lead to an increased risk of getting in a car accident.
Marijuana impacts users differently depending on their weight, metabolism, and more. The drug may affect a woman who weighs approximately 125 pounds much differently than a man who weighs 180 pounds. Additionally, various marijuana products have different potencies. Each of these individuals will be more significantly affected by a marijuana product containing 100 milligrams of THC compared to if they smoked or ingested approximately 10 milligrams of the compound. There can also be meaningful differences between smoking marijuana and absorbing THC through the lungs as compared to ingesting an edible form of the drug and absorbing THC through the digestive tract. Smoking marijuana produces an instant high that quickly diminishes. Ingesting the drug leads to a delayed effect. It can take up to an hour to become high, which can then last for a significantly longer period of time.
While the specific impact of marijuana on individuals varies based on a number of factors, there are common side effects of using this drug, including:
It is obvious how all of these side effects can affect a person’s ability to safely drive. Drivers need to be able to accurately detect distance and speed as well as quickly react to hazards in the road. High individuals are unable to perform these tasks well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration surveyed around 9,000 drivers in a nearly two-year long study of alcohol and drug use by drivers. It found that marijuana users were around 25% more likely to be involved in a car crash than a sober driver.
Even so, researchers believe the ages of the affected drivers may have been a bigger correlate than the marijuana use. This is sharply contrasted with driving while under the influence of alcohol. People with a blood alcohol content of .08 are more than 12 times more likely to be involved in a car crash. For an average sized person, this is approximately one drink an hour.
The results of this study, which defined marijuana intoxication as a driver who tested positive for THC, will likely lead to additional research on the effects of marijuana on driving. It will be imperative to craft driving while intoxicated laws and standards that reflect the reality of legalized marijuana use.
Driving is a huge responsibility. People who share the road with you count on you to make careful, cautious, and lawful decisions. If you are under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or any other mind-altering substance, don’t get behind the wheel. You could be risking your life and your freedom – and endangering the lives of others. If you’ve been hurt by an impaired driver, you should schedule a free injury consultation to understand your legal options.
In 2016, Illinois’ zero-tolerance policy against operating a vehicle with any marijuana in the driver’s system changed. Now, Illinois has a more objective standard for what is considered drugged driving. It is unlawful for individuals to drive with 5 nanograms or more of THC in their blood or 10 nanograms or more of THC in their saliva.
This standard enables the police and courts to treat marijuana more like alcohol in relation to driving. If the police suspect an individual is driving while high, they can arrest the driver and conduct an official blood or saliva test. Those facing charges or injuries from such incidents can turn to experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers for guidance and legal representation.
If you have been smoking marijuana within the last several hours, you should not be driving under the influence. Don’t risk a dangerous accident that could be your fault. If you are injured in an accident as a result of someone smoking marijuana, you may need the help of an experienced attorney to help you deal with the insurance company. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Call us today at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900 to see how we may be able to help.
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