Driving whilst high
- Thread starter bluenavey00
- Start date
This is the closest I have found so far, but it is a urine test.
https://www.amazon.com/UTest-Meter-Level-Marijuana-Strips/dp/B076XFQLCY
I'm not sure how to translate between uriine levels and blood levels.
"For marijuana use in Washington and Colorado, the current limit is 5 nanograms of delta-9-THC per milliliter of blood. If a driver is found with a THC level at or over that limit, they can be arrested and charged without proof of impairment due to another substance."
https://www.northpointwashington.com/blog/can-get-dui-youre-high-marijuana-wa-state/
Now, I understand that blood THC levels are not a good indication of impairment, but that is the law as it now exists in Washington. I dislike that the level of impairment tolerated in alcohol users is far greater than that generally accepted among cannabis users. I'd like some parity there-but that is a political question.
I was hoping there was a home blood test, but I haven't found one yet. The next best thing: a way to establish a urine level that means it is unlikely one is above the legal THC level.
I am largely home bound, I drive 1-2 days per week. I generally avoid or minimize cannabis use the day before I need to drive. I'd like to know just where I'm really at.
https://www.amazon.com/UTest-Meter-Level-Marijuana-Strips/dp/B076XFQLCY
I'm not sure how to translate between uriine levels and blood levels.
"For marijuana use in Washington and Colorado, the current limit is 5 nanograms of delta-9-THC per milliliter of blood. If a driver is found with a THC level at or over that limit, they can be arrested and charged without proof of impairment due to another substance."
https://www.northpointwashington.com/blog/can-get-dui-youre-high-marijuana-wa-state/
Now, I understand that blood THC levels are not a good indication of impairment, but that is the law as it now exists in Washington. I dislike that the level of impairment tolerated in alcohol users is far greater than that generally accepted among cannabis users. I'd like some parity there-but that is a political question.
I was hoping there was a home blood test, but I haven't found one yet. The next best thing: a way to establish a urine level that means it is unlikely one is above the legal THC level.
I am largely home bound, I drive 1-2 days per week. I generally avoid or minimize cannabis use the day before I need to drive. I'd like to know just where I'm really at.
That depends on the state you are in. In Washington and Colorado, the level limit is based on a blood test.
There are real problems with that law as it now exists. Folks that are heavy users of cannabis might not pass the test 12 hours after last use of cannabis.
There are real problems with that law as it now exists. Folks that are heavy users of cannabis might not pass the test 12 hours after last use of cannabis.
Ramahs
Fucking Combustion (mostly) Since February 2017
In the post that you are replying to, I wasn't talking about driving. I was talking about while riding a bike for exercise. Look at the comments before it.
That depends on the state you are in.
https://dui.drivinglaws.org/resources/dui-arrest-on-bicycle.htm
In washington state you cannot get a dui on a bicycle.
You sure can in Colorado though.
http://colobikelaw.com/articles/dui.html
Ramahs
Fucking Combustion (mostly) Since February 2017
Well, sure. You can technically get a DUI on a bicycle in my state too.
But they tend to not bother people on bikes unless you're doing something stupidly obvious (violating traffic laws while on a bike included).
I grew up in rural Missouri, where cops would routinely harass folks they didn't like for one reason or another. I know a guy that _quit_ growing pot and routinely gets pulled offer because LEO's are made they no longer get payments from him. I've lived in Chicago: there lots of cops are looking for bribes, and you have to know how to do it correctly or there will be problems. I have never seen anything like either here on the west coast.
I'd really like to be able to vape a bowl, say at a concert, and know that I've waited long enough to be safe to drive. i simply cannot afford to risk a DUI.
I'd really like to be able to vape a bowl, say at a concert, and know that I've waited long enough to be safe to drive. i simply cannot afford to risk a DUI.
vapirtoo
Well-Known Member
Yeah I saw the it a while back and was underwhelmed. While I kind of agree with the performance outcomes, at one point the instructor tells the stoned driver that he is driving to slow.....duh wtf I'm stoned and this speed feels comfortable.
As I have stated before in this thread, in 50 years of daily NYC driving, my four fender benders all happened when I was straight, clear headed and AGGRESSIVE behind the wheel. Go figure.
As I have stated before in this thread, in 50 years of daily NYC driving, my four fender benders all happened when I was straight, clear headed and AGGRESSIVE behind the wheel. Go figure.
Polarbearboy
Tokin' Away Since 1968
I've been driving while stoned for more than fifty years. When I'm doing a long distance drive, I get stoned while I'm driving. When I was younger, I used to spend an evening in a bar and then get in the car and get stoned for the drive home. Sometimes that was a bit scary. Also when I was younger, there were times I couldn't see where I was going, particularly after drinking, smoking cigs, and doing a doobie. I have never had an accident while stoned and haven't had a chargable accident in more than thirty years. Thank God that since I quit cigarettes, I never get the whirlies anymore.
A couple of years ago I was making the 1400 mile drive to my place in northern Canada. About an hour from my place is a long uninhabited boring stretch of road, at the beginning of which I usually get stoned. As I hit that stretch, I pulled out a joint and started smoking it. On the third hit I looked in the rearview mirror and noticed a cop, RCMP, behind me. My heart started pounding as I carefully put the j in a coffee cup and put the lid on it and grabbed my stash and put it under the seat, being careful not to lean over as the cop was right on my tail. I stunk of dope and so drank the dregs of my coffee to try to hide the smell. After a full five minutes on my tail, the blue light went on and I pulled over. Cop walked up and asked for my license and registration, which I handed over. Then he asked me what the speed limit was. I politely said 110k. He responded "Ah, I couldn't understand why you continued to speed when I was behind you. The limit is 90 and you were going nearly 120." I told him that I've often been driving 120 along that stretch of road and people always are passing me. He said he knew that. After returning to his vehicle to check my license and reg., he walked back to my car and handed them to me. "Slow down" he said, and let me go. Whew. Whew. Whew.
PS: On the other hand, once I graduated university, I never, not once, got stoned before or during working hours. Only exception was when I was on-call over weekends, and even then getting stoned was a rarity. Ended up as a CEO. Frankly, though I got(now retired) stoned five or six nights a week for many years and have been a strong supporter of legalization, I would fire any employee who got stoned--or was drinking--during working hours.
A couple of years ago I was making the 1400 mile drive to my place in northern Canada. About an hour from my place is a long uninhabited boring stretch of road, at the beginning of which I usually get stoned. As I hit that stretch, I pulled out a joint and started smoking it. On the third hit I looked in the rearview mirror and noticed a cop, RCMP, behind me. My heart started pounding as I carefully put the j in a coffee cup and put the lid on it and grabbed my stash and put it under the seat, being careful not to lean over as the cop was right on my tail. I stunk of dope and so drank the dregs of my coffee to try to hide the smell. After a full five minutes on my tail, the blue light went on and I pulled over. Cop walked up and asked for my license and registration, which I handed over. Then he asked me what the speed limit was. I politely said 110k. He responded "Ah, I couldn't understand why you continued to speed when I was behind you. The limit is 90 and you were going nearly 120." I told him that I've often been driving 120 along that stretch of road and people always are passing me. He said he knew that. After returning to his vehicle to check my license and reg., he walked back to my car and handed them to me. "Slow down" he said, and let me go. Whew. Whew. Whew.
PS: On the other hand, once I graduated university, I never, not once, got stoned before or during working hours. Only exception was when I was on-call over weekends, and even then getting stoned was a rarity. Ended up as a CEO. Frankly, though I got(now retired) stoned five or six nights a week for many years and have been a strong supporter of legalization, I would fire any employee who got stoned--or was drinking--during working hours.
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Tranquility
Well-Known Member
6%
That's how many more accidents there are in insured vehicles in states that have legalized as opposed to states that have not--according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desk...alized-retail-sales-of-recreational-marijuana
That's how many more accidents there are in insured vehicles in states that have legalized as opposed to states that have not--according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
https://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desk...alized-retail-sales-of-recreational-marijuana
Crashes are up by as much as 6 percent in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, compared with neighboring states that haven't legalized marijuana for recreational use, new research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows.
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HLDI analysts estimate that the frequency of collision claims per insured vehicle year rose a combined 6 percent following the start of retail sales of recreational marijuana in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, compared with the control states of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. The combined-state analysis is based on collision loss data from January 2012 through October 2017.
Analysts controlled for differences in the rated driver population, insured vehicle fleet, the mix of urban versus rural exposure, unemployment, weather and seasonality.
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A separate IIHS study examined 2012–16 police-reported crashes before and after retail sales began in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. IIHS estimates that the three states combined saw a 5.2 percent increase in the rate of crashes per million vehicle registrations, compared with neighboring states that didn't legalize marijuana sales.
IIHS researchers compared the change in crash rate in Colorado, Oregon and Washington with the change in crash rates in the neighboring states that didn't enact recreational marijuana laws. Researchers compared Colorado with Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, and they compared Oregon and Washington with Idaho and Montana. The study controlled for differences in demographics, unemployment and weather in each state.
The size of the effect varied by state. Although the study controlled for several differences among the states, the models can't capture every single difference. For example, marijuana laws in Colorado, Oregon and Washington differ in terms of daily purchase limits, sales taxes and available options for home growers. These differences can influence how often consumers buy marijuana, where they buy it and where they consume it.
The 5.2 percent increase in police-reported crash rates following legalization of recreational marijuana use is consistent with the 6 percent increase in insurance claim rates estimated by HLDI.
The studies don't claim marijuana causes increases in accidents. They only note that accidents increase when a state goes legal.-----
HLDI analysts estimate that the frequency of collision claims per insured vehicle year rose a combined 6 percent following the start of retail sales of recreational marijuana in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, compared with the control states of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. The combined-state analysis is based on collision loss data from January 2012 through October 2017.
Analysts controlled for differences in the rated driver population, insured vehicle fleet, the mix of urban versus rural exposure, unemployment, weather and seasonality.
-----
A separate IIHS study examined 2012–16 police-reported crashes before and after retail sales began in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. IIHS estimates that the three states combined saw a 5.2 percent increase in the rate of crashes per million vehicle registrations, compared with neighboring states that didn't legalize marijuana sales.
IIHS researchers compared the change in crash rate in Colorado, Oregon and Washington with the change in crash rates in the neighboring states that didn't enact recreational marijuana laws. Researchers compared Colorado with Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, and they compared Oregon and Washington with Idaho and Montana. The study controlled for differences in demographics, unemployment and weather in each state.
The size of the effect varied by state. Although the study controlled for several differences among the states, the models can't capture every single difference. For example, marijuana laws in Colorado, Oregon and Washington differ in terms of daily purchase limits, sales taxes and available options for home growers. These differences can influence how often consumers buy marijuana, where they buy it and where they consume it.
The 5.2 percent increase in police-reported crash rates following legalization of recreational marijuana use is consistent with the 6 percent increase in insurance claim rates estimated by HLDI.
His_Highness
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Some think cannabis doesn't interfere with their driving. Some have even implied it may make them a better driver as a slight bit of paranoia makes them more careful and the "chill" factor eliminates their aggressive driving and potential toward road rage.
Others feel that cannabis does impair their driving at least minimally and avoid driving too soon after using.
I mention the above because I think those debates come from folks who are regular cannabis users who would be less likely to have an accident than someone new to cannabis who started using when the legal flood gates opened. I wonder if the increase in accidents is more due to new cannabis users or those re-starting?
looney2nz
Research Geek, Mad Scientist
but stack up a noob user driving against a medical patient who's been on high dose cannabinoids
for a long time (with plenty of CBD)... delta-11 metabolite tests are useless, nothing incorporating BMI, blood levels measured by field instruments (who are racing to be first to market), but 'legal blood levels' assigned by pulling numbers out of the air (euphemism for straight outta their ass). Nothing about CBD modulating the THC, nothing about tolerance level.
that said, I've ridden with drivers who were scary AF when sober, and just as bad when they were stoned.
Personally I'd rather enjoy the high and not have any stress over driving and passing muster.
ClearBlueLou
unbearably light in the being....
Ive been smoking for more than 50, and there is a vast difference between new users (less than a year or two) and long-time users. New users tend to get “loaded” because it’s all new and fun - and not well-controlled. Stoners who can’t function dependably should stay out of the kitchen, the workshop, and the driver’s seat.
Past a certain point, the effects become known and understood, and self-regulation typically kick in. In the time I’ve been smoking, I have NEVER been pulled over while high, nor have I had an accident or a ticket in more than 30. I recognize that some of it is old-white-guy privilege, but a lot of it is practice at mindfulness, breathing, staying centered, and paying attention to how YOU do behind the wheel.
Past a certain point, the effects become known and understood, and self-regulation typically kick in. In the time I’ve been smoking, I have NEVER been pulled over while high, nor have I had an accident or a ticket in more than 30. I recognize that some of it is old-white-guy privilege, but a lot of it is practice at mindfulness, breathing, staying centered, and paying attention to how YOU do behind the wheel.
Saturn_Corp
Well-Known Member
Not gonna lie, I often drive high. There are few things better than vaping during my short drive home from work but I recognize the seriousness of the issue and am working towards doing it less and less. Often I pull into the driveway and park as I begin to feel the effects so it's not like I'm loaded going down the highway.
Just got my bicycle fixed with a big light on the front so I can return to biking and vaping instead.
Just got my bicycle fixed with a big light on the front so I can return to biking and vaping instead.
SonSzu
Member
They don't take into account the influx of people moving into states that legalize.
Oversimplified, more people on the road = more accidents. Irrespective of cannabis.
For high tolerance / daily users, mj has next to zero driving impairment effects.
Legalize cocaine & hookers in a state and watch the accident rate go up.
EverythingsHazy
Well-Known Member
I didn't read the entire published study, so I won't support or reject it, but a quick skim of the linked webpage shows that increased population doesn't seem to be the cause of the effect, here. They are measuring frequency "per insured vehicle year", not total frequency, and also they attempted to control for several other extraneous variables.
It's really not that hard to believe that an increase in Cannabis availability could lead to more people driving under the influence, which can be a major issue, especially when it comes to those who don't have high tolerances.
In fact, I find it much harder to believe that being stoned has absolutely no negative effect on the driving ability of at least some people.
I'm still not arguing for the study here, but I don't find the results to be so shocking, especially when you consider the fact that they are covering the whole population, and not just very experienced Cannabis users with high tolerances and many hours on the road.
Do you have any scientific studies that support this claim, or is it just your assumption?
Baron23
Well-Known Member
I believe that science...rather than what we want to believe...says this is not so.
Cannabis effects reaction times and coordination.
I'm not getting an argument over this as people tend to see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear.
I do not advocate driving impaired.
But when I have the choice of a drunk driver or a cannabis high driver. I'll either go by foot or chose the cannabis driver.