On behalf of Werking Law, posted in DUI Defense
Colorado lawmakers are considering new rules affecting marijuana users who may be driving under the influence. The newly proposed rules would consider it a DUI related offense if drivers exceed the blood-content threshold for marijuana. Drivers who test positive for 5 nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, would be considered too impaired to drive.
Opponents are concerned that the new legislation will give law enforcement broad sweeping powers if enacted. As a result, one of the bill’s sponsors is trying to assure medical marijuana users that they’re not going to be stopped if they’re driving appropriately.
Out of the 16 states that allow medical marijuana use, all of them have a different approach to enforcement, ranging from zero-tolerance to a similar 5 nanograms of THC threshold. A Denver criminal defense attorney with experience handling DUI related offenses points out that it is already illegal to drive under the influence of drugs in Colorado. The penalties for a DUID conviction are the same as a DUI conviction.
To read more, see KABC.com article. Image by Bradley Gordon [Flickr]
The thoughts and opinions expressed here do not constitute legal advice