With such a widespread cultural attitude against drunk driving, it would be assumed that the public would be completely against driving while under the influence of marijuana. The notion would be that if alcohol would impair one’s judgment and cause a particular safety hazard, marijuana would be significantly more dangerous and would be brutal on the general public.
However, a recent study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers who are under the influence of marijuana are at a significantly lower risk of being in an accident compared to drivers who are drinking and driving. Essentially, the presence of THC in a person’s blood does not affect a person in the same way that alcohol does. Because of this, researchers found that there was no significant statistical change in the risk of crashes when considering the use of marijuana.
Because of the chemically complex molecules in psychopathic drugs such as marijuana, it is difficult to predict how their absorption and action will affect the user.
Even still, a number of states have enacted laws that penalize driving while under the influence of marijuana, and some states (such as Colorado) have attempted to define what marijuana impaired driving would be (i.e. by establishing a threshold level of THC in a person’s blood). However, as researchers have found, a certain level of THC does not translate into impairment.
As such, if you are suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana, it is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney to investigate and defend the charges.
