Driving whilst high

[killick]

Anyone on any medication that says 'may cause drowsiness' please stay home from here on out. Thanks

 

[EverythingsHazy]

We all have opinions and judgements. If you think medicated is wordplay I invite you to educate yourself about the unique properties of cannabis as a medicine. The number of studies showing it's beneficial effects for many symptoms and conditions is really quite remarkable. The Internet has a wealth of information. This collective in California sets the standard - https://wamm.org

I never said that cannabis isn't medicating. I said that it gets you high, and choosing to ignore that fact is foolish. Whether or not you are using it as medicine, if you consume active THC, you are getting high.

Now you've done it.....I've always been curious about what is in 'Pandora's Box'. Now that you've opened it I may get to see what's in it first hand

I did say that some people very well might truly need cannabis all the time. I just don't think there are enough of those people who are also good drivers while high, to justify making high driving legal.

 

[RUDE BOY]

Some medicines say specifically not to drive while on them.

I don't know where you live or what your life experience is but having been in ill health for three decades now and having had many Dozens of scripts for many Dozens of big pharma meds I have yet to use a medicine that the warning said "Do Not drive While Using This Medication" they may say "use care while operating a car or machinery" NONE ever said not to drive. If you think driving is safer when someone is in severe pain or extremely nauseous then after a couple hits off a vape you ain't never been in pain or felt nauseous. To say people who have physical limitations and illness shouldn't be allowed to drive is plain stupid talk

It's not being on a high horse. If you have a medical condition, and need impairing medication, you should be prohibited from driving.

^^Now this has to be the stupidest fucking statement I've ever read here on FC it's more like someones head is up a high horses ass.

Modnote: No flaming. Do not post any content that harasses, insults, belittles, threatens or flames another member. Warning point issued.

 

[Farid]

^Can I like that post more than once? I gave up my license for six months when I had a grand mal seizure. Being medicated lets me drive. If I wasn't on a strong anticonvulsant I would not feel comfortable driving. Driving medicated is 100% safer than driving with a seizure risk. Even if my reflexes are slower than they are without meds, I'm not going to blackout and kill myself or others cause of a seizure. Are you saying I should never be able to drive???

Your claim that using cannabis somehow guarantees a person is "high" is absurd. If you vape every day, using a consistent amount (as most people using cannabis as medicine do) you probably don't get strong psychoactive effects. Also I get higher from my prescription meds than from cannabis. My doctor and the RMV have told me I'm 100% clear to drive on my prescription anticonvulsant so long as I have no seizure activity. You're saying I shouldn't be allowed to drive period. So what, a 22 year old guy should just give up driving for the rest of my life? Kind of hard unless I move to the city.

Life with a revoked license is shitty. Having to tell everybody about your condition so they don't assume a DUI. Having to ask for rides from everybody you know. Having to plan your work days so that you leave home early enough to get to work on time, getting rained on on the walk back from work, I could go on.

 

[nosmoking]

I think the typical "pothead" stigma is rife in this thread unfortunately. I am surprised to find so many people that actually use marijuana to consider it debilitating in anyway. Typically, I find most people that say they can't or won't do something while "high" are just to lazy or comfortable to do it. Is this what were really saying we don't trust in this thread? I have followed this thread and read every word of it and I have not found an example of why someone could not drive when they were "high". No one has came on here and said I can't see as well, or I can't think as well, or I can't hear as well. Most people that said they wouldn't do it said they wouldn't drive whilst high because they could never live with themselves in the what if situation.

Well could you live with yourself anymore if you were changing your stereo and ran someone over? I bet you still use your stereo. Someone is going to come in here and act like they are the perfect driver and follow all safety rules and such...well no you are not. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes. Blaming a mistake on being high seems more of a cop-out then a reality. It also fuels the "pothead" stigma that follows marijuana around.

I am not saying that marijuana is not actually debilitating to anyone, but I bet that it is more of a low % type of statistic than what I feel we are leading others to believe in this thread.

 

[ZC]

I don't see @EverythingsHazy's post as attacking anyone, but just has his view on cannabis medication, which is also most doctor's view on it. There are a LOT of prescription drugs that impair you, and they all come with labels that insist you do not drive on the medication. And guess what? You shouldn't drive on those either. People are always going to feel attacked when something they do is criticized, but that doesn't mean they are being attacked.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Unfortunately those of us who need medications that impair us have to waive that privilege. It sucks, but inconvenience doesn't trump safety. People who are legally blind cannot drive either, and it sure sucks for them too. But no one is suggesting handing blind people licenses. Same goes for people with epilepsy. The inconvenience of your illness doesn't mean the rules are waived for you.

TBH I don't think it matters if you need to be medicated every second of the day, if you're doing it recreationaly, or if you're somewhere inbetween. If you're high, you're very likely impaired. Everyone is different, and your impairment might vary, but I don't realistically see a law or rule that would reasonably take this into account.

The idea of a high license is pretty funny though.

A think a lot of defenses for driving while high revolve around other dangerous things we do. Yes, sleepy driving is also incredibly dangerous! That doesn't magically make driving high safe, even if it is "more" safe than sleepy driving. That all said I'm more scared of people texting and driving than any other factor, because texting drivers is something I deal with every day and they often swerve out of their lane and are otherwise pretty dangerous. But none of that suddenly makes high driving safe. I'll reiterate that I think the problem is that people don't take driving seriously, because they're so comfortable doing it every day. But it is dangerous, and to me that means even slight impairment is not a reasonable risk.

 

[EverythingsHazy]

^^Now this has to be the stupidest fucking statement I've ever read here on FC it's more like someones head is up a high horses ass.

There's no need to live up to your username and flame me.

If you have very bad vision, you are banned from driving. Why should having a problem that impairs brain function be any different?

Just because driving in pain or while nauseous, might be worse, doesn't mean driving high should be allowed.

Also, most people can take something else that isn't psychoactive, to help lessen the symptoms for a couple hours when they need to drive.

***Edit***

I don't see @EverythingsHazy's post as attacking anyone, but just has his view on cannabis medication, which is also most doctor's view on it. There are a LOT of prescription drugs that impair you, and they all come with labels that insist you do not drive on the medication. And guess what? You shouldn't drive on those either. People are always going to feel attacked when something they do is criticized, but that doesn't mean they are being attacked.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Unfortunately those of us who need medications that impair us have to waive that privilege. It sucks, but inconvenience doesn't trump safety. People who are legally blind cannot drive either, and it sure sucks for them too. But no one is suggesting handing blind people licenses. Same goes for people with epilepsy. The inconvenience of your illness doesn't mean the rules are waived for you.

TBH I don't think it matters if you need to be medicated every second of the day, if you're doing it recreationaly, or if you're somewhere inbetween. If you're high, you're very likely impaired. Everyone is different, and your impairment might vary, but I don't realistically see a law or rule that would reasonably take this into account.

The idea of a high license is pretty funny though.

A think a lot of defenses for driving while high revolve around other dangerous things we do. Yes, sleepy driving is also incredibly dangerous! That doesn't magically make driving high safe, even if it is "more" safe than sleepy driving. That all said I'm more scared of people texting and driving than any other factor, because texting drivers is something I deal with every day and they often swerve out of their lane and are otherwise pretty dangerous. But none of that suddenly makes high driving safe. I'll reiterate that I think the problem is that people don't take driving seriously, because they're so comfortable doing it every day. But it is dangerous, and to me that means even slight impairment is not a reasonable risk.

Agreed. Great post.

 

[Farid]

Same goes for people with epilepsy. The inconvenience of your illness doesn't mean the rules are waived for you

But it does. I had to contact my Dr. and the RMV, but yes, there is a stipulation on my license that says I am on medication that has the potential *note POTENTIAL, not guaruntee* to impact driving ability. Medication says USE CARE WHEN OPERATING A VEHICLE VESSEL OR MACHINE. Not do not operate...

Just like having a broken leg means that opiate control laws are waived for you and you are allowed possession of controlled substances. That's how the medical system works in the United States.

That statement actually made me laugh out loud though, it is so absurd. Epilepsy means I can never drink, so I'm the defacto designated driver among my friends.

 

[RUDE BOY]

There are a LOT of prescription drugs that impair you, and they all come with labels that insist you do not drive on the medication.

Show us an instance where any prescription drug comes with a label that tells you "do not drive while using this drug".

I'll bet good money You'll never find one that does.

 

[ZC]

But it does. I had to contact my Dr. and the RMV, but yes, there is a stipulation on my license that says I am on medication that has the potential *note POTENTIAL, not guaruntee* to impact driving ability. Medication says USE CARE WHEN OPERATING A VEHICLE VESSEL OR MACHINE. Not do not operate...

Just like having a broken leg means that opiate control laws are waived for you and you are allowed possession of controlled substances. That's how the medical system works in the United States.

Your case is not all cases, just because your specific medication allows you to drive (and that's great!) doesn't mean they all are. I know several people with epilepsy that are not allowed to drive because of it.

As for opiate laws, allowed to be in possession of something and allowed to drive under its influence are two different things.

 

[Farid]

Your case is not all cases, just because your specific medication allows you to drive (and that's great!) doesn't mean they all are. I know several people with epilepsy that are not allowed to drive because of it.

As for opiate laws, allowed to be in possession of something and allowed to drive under its influence are two different things.

That has nothing to do with their medication and everything to do with the fact that they are probably not 100% controlled, and most states require you be 6 months to a year seizure free before driving again. Again this has nothing to do with the properties of the medications and everything to do with whether the medications are working or not.

The opitate example was to illustrate how laws are changed for sick people because we do not live in a medieval society.

 

[friedrich]

It's not being on a high horse. If you have a medical condition, and need impairing medication, you should be prohibited from driving. Yea, it sucks. Having health issues sucks. At least there is medication to be had. Some medicines say specifically not to drive while on them. I would prefer if it was illegal to drive high, if that was reliably testable. I don't doubt that some people can drive very well while high, but I don't think that the majority of cannabis users fall into that group.

You seem to be making a lot of assumptions (like being "high" is all or nothing, people can't modulate their dosages?) and completely disregarding the study and experiments posted earlier in the thread...

after adjusting for age, gender, race and alcohol use, drivers who tested positive for marijuana were no more likely to crash than [those] who had not used any drugs or alcohol prior to driving

 

[EverythingsHazy]

You seem to be making a lot of assumptions (like being "high" is all or nothing, people can't modulate their dosages?) and completely disregarding the study and experiments posted earlier in the thread...

You can moderate HOW high you get, but it's still being high. Even if you don't "feel" it that much, you are still high and impaired.

And yes, if you have seizures and need a mentally impairing medicine to live comfortably, I don't think you should be allowed to drive. Yes, it sucks. But having a medical condition does suck. Not everything in life is fair and fun. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you aren't 100%, you shouldn't do it, and whatever impairments can be tested for accurately, should be banned. If they find a way to test for sleepy drivin levels, I'd be all for them banning that too.

 

[Farid]

And yes, if you have seizures and need a mentally impairing medicine to live comfortably, I don't think you should be allowed to drive. Yes, it sucks. But having a medical condition does suck. Not everything in life is fair and fun. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you aren't 100%, you shouldn't do it, and whatever impairments can be tested for accurately, should be banned. If they find a way to test for sleepy drivin levels, I'd be all for them banning that too.

Thank God for the Epilepsy foundation (and the fact that epilepsy effects everybody, even politicians and celebrities) for ensuring that society and our government does not agree with you. I guess it's a step up from thinking we're possessed by demons or djinn, but still...

 

[EverythingsHazy]

Thank God for the Epilepsy foundation (and the fact that epilepsy effects everybody, even politicians and celebrities) for ensuring that society and our government does not agree with you. I guess it's a step up from thinking we're possessed by demons or djinn, but still...

lol what? I'm not saying it's not a legit medical condition. Just that it IS problematic and if you can't drive 100% due to seizures OR seizure medicine, you shouldn't be allowed to at all. That goes for legal blindness, too. It sucks, but being blind sucks. That's just a fact. Things suck sometimes.

 

[WakeAndVape]

I feel like there are straight edge police implants lurking and therefore I will limit my future comments on THIS thread, as not to incriminate my self to law enforcement officials. And to law enforcement let me be the first to introduce you with a big warm 'fuck you'

I am going to get high as shit driving. Everyone who I know that gets high does so while driving.

Show the science, or shut up. Who PERSONALLY KNOWS SOMEONE WHO GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE HIGH?

I'm not about to defend my drug use, it makes me want to use more drugs!

If you don't like it...complete the puzzle...
F_C_ _O_!

I also swim immediately following large meals...I'm a rebel!

 

[EverythingsHazy]

I feel like there are straight edge police implants lurking and therefore I will limit my future comments on THIS thread, as not to incriminate my self to law enforcement officials. And to law enforcement let me be the first to introduce you with a big warm 'fuck you'

I am going to get high as shit driving. Everyone who I know that gets high does so while driving.

Show the science, or shut up. Who PERSONALLY KNOWS SOMEONE WHO GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE HIGH?

I'm not about to defend my drug use, it makes me want to use more drugs!

If you don't like it...complete the puzzle...
F_C_ _O_!

People like you are the reason "pot heads" have a bad name. Fuck this, fuck that, fuck the police lol. That's not going to get cannabis users any support.

Not ignoring the facts about cannabis doesn't make someone a cop, smh. Ignoring the facts just because you like to be "high as shit" and because "everyone does it" makes you a stereotypical "pothead" tho.

"I am going to get high as shit driving. Everyone who I know that gets high does so while driving."
Hopefully you get caught ad have your license revoked for being irresponsible. Getting "high as shit" and driving isn't even what this thread is mostly about.

 

[WakeAndVape]

People like you are the reason "pot heads" have a bad name. Fuck this, fuck that, fuck the police lol. That's not going to get cannabis users any support.

Not ignoring the facts about cannabis doesn't make someone a cop, smh. Ignoring the facts just because you like to be "high as shit" and because "everyone does it" makes you a stereotypical "pothead" tho.

"I am going to get high as shit driving. Everyone who I know that gets high does so while driving."
Hopefully you get caught ad have your license revoked for being irresponsible. Getting "high as shit" and driving isn't even what this thread is mostly about.

Dude...why are you talking to me? I don't have anything to offer such a ridiculous reply but rudeness. Please leave me alone OR COME WITH SOME SCIENCE.
Your attacks aren't constructive to real debate.

 

[His_Highness]

I have followed this thread and read every word of it and I have not found an example of why someone could not drive when they were "high". Most people that said they wouldn't do it said they wouldn't drive whilst high because they could never live with themselves in the what if situation.

I called myself out about driving and being impaired/high and while I could drive and did drive that night....I shouldn't have. When I said below 'I felt like I was 'almost' hallucinating a little........' It was surreal - After 4 decades of getting high I miss-diagnosed my abilities in a big way. I missed my exit and things were moving in slow motion. It was a watered down version/visual of the painting 'The scream' in terms of texture. I look forward to getting that high again but without the need to drive.

Just last weekend my daughter, on the spur of the moment said she'd treat me to dinner and a movie and asked if I minded driving. I had gotten high about 30 minutes beforehand so I told her I'd be ready in about an hour so I could come down. We had to pick a different start time for the movie. Up till then I wondered if I would rationalize my way into driving high/back slide my recent decision to not drive high. Again - These is my reality and I'm not asking anyone to live in it but me.

A recent event changed my opinion. Bunch of us FC folk got together for a vape off and we vaped so much I thought I vaped 180 degrees...in other words...I felt like I had vaped so much that I vaped myself just about straight. I ate a little bit and ceased vaping about 30 minutes before climbing into my car that night. The weird part was that it wasn't until a few minutes into the the drive home that night that I felt like I was 'almost' hallucinating a little, needed to REALLY concentrate and could tell I wasn't driving as well as I normally do. This is the last time I will ever drive within an hour or more of vaping.... even a little. The reason - I've been getting buzzed for 4 decades and I under-estimated how buzzed and affected I was. It could happen again.

I am invoking the 'to thine own self be true' clause here and I'm sure many feel differently than I. How I feel about this topic is strictly based on 'I gotta live with myself'.

 

[WakeAndVape]

I called myself out about driving and being impaired/high and while I could drive and did drive that night....I shouldn't have. When I said below 'I felt like I was 'almost' hallucinating a little........' It was surreal - After 4 decades of getting high I miss-diagnosed my abilities in a big way. I missed my exit and things were moving in slow motion. It was a watered down version/visual of the painting 'The scream' in terms of texture. I look forward to getting that high again but without the need to drive.

Just last weekend my daughter, on the spur of the moment said she'd treat me to dinner and a movie and asked if I minded driving. I had gotten high about 30 minutes beforehand so I told her I'd be ready in about an hour so I could come down. We had to pick a different start time for the movie. Up till then I wondered if I would rationalize my way into driving high/back slide my recent decision to not drive high. Again - These is my reality and I'm not asking anyone to live in it but me.

The thing I like about your posts are that you offer insight...keep it up! They actually make me think and not get defensive.

 

[Frogman]

It's simply not worth it so I avoid doing it.

 

[Farid]

lol what? I'm not saying it's not a legit medical condition. Just that it IS problematic and if you can't drive 100% due to seizures OR seizure medicine, you shouldn't be allowed to at all. That goes for legal blindness, too. It sucks, but being blind sucks. That's just a fact. Things suck sometimes.

And all I'm saying is that the Epilepsy Foundation fights hard so that we are not treated differently because of a controlled condition. Because I know I'm a safer driver than many of the elderly people on the roads... come on now, do you expect to take away the license of anybody over 50? Because I can guaruntee my youth makes up for my condition when comparing my driving to anybody that age's driving. But fuck that I'll let my driving record speak for itself.

I've only ever gotten one speeding ticket in my life (my only driving citation as well), and it was when I was not using cannabis at all due to a trip to OK for a military simulation event (lol I know). Three of us were trying to get there without stopping, and we were splitting the trip up by miles not time. I stupidly thought that I could go 90 on the empty highway and I got a ticket. If I had cannabis in the car I would not have dared speed.

 

[EverythingsHazy]

And all I'm saying is that the Epilepsy Foundation fights hard so that we are not treated differently because of a controlled condition. Because I know I'm a safer driver than many of the elderly people on the roads... come on now, do you expect to take away the license of anybody over 50? Because I can guaruntee my youth makes up for my condition when comparing my driving to anybody that age's driving. But fuck that I'll let my driving record speak for itself.

Again, using an example of a worse option (being elderly and a bad driver) is not reason for justifying driving high.

Once people are too old to drive properly, their licenses SHOULD be revoked. I've always said that after 60 you should have to retake your license test every few years, and when they cant keep up with the standards held for young people, they shouldn't be allowed to drive.

 

[Vapor_Eyes]

Show us an instance where any prescription drug comes with a label that tells you "do not drive while using this drug".

I'll bet good money You'll never find one that does.

I have a bottle of a legally prescribed schedule II controlled substance in front of me. There is a warning label that says:

"This drug may impair the ability to operate a vehicle, vessel (E.G. Boat), or machinery. Use care until you become familiar with its effects."

My prescribing doctor knows I drive every day and knows I drive to my appointments with him. They never once suggested I stop driving and didn't even warn me about driving while using it. Probably because they trust me to be responsible.

In most places it is legal to drive while under the influence of alcohol, which impairs your ability to drive. This is only legal if you are impaired up to a certain amount.

It is easy to idealize and say that nobody should ever drive if they are impaired in any manner. We are all impaired in some way or another.

What about someone with mild hearing loss, they won't be able to hear sirens, horns, etc. Should they be able to drive? Colorblind people may have trouble seeing traffic lights or brake lights. Less intelligent people may not be able to remember all of the traffic laws as well, should they be able to drive?

If I take a driving test after using cannabis and drive better than someone who is completely sober, am I really "impaired"?

I for one don't want sober drivers on the road. Sober drivers make mistakes too. In fact, sober drivers cause the majority of car accidents.

I want safe drivers on the road. For some people they might have to take a controlled substance to become a safer driver. Others have to be completely sober. I know people that have to turn the radio off to drive safely.

DUI laws are problematic because they can lead to abuse by the police and don't always stop bad driving. Maybe a cop is having a bad day, sees you leaving the dispensary, and decides to make an example out of you. You get pulled over because your taillight is out. They smell marijuana, you get tested and busted. You were driving perfectly safe, and may even be sober, but the cannabis is in your system. The only one who benefits is the police and judicial system. The streets are no safer for your arrest. Meanwhile as you're being handcuffed a car full of sober teenagers recklessly speeds by. This is the scenario I fear becoming more and more common as cannabis is legalized.

Let's focus on unsafe drivers as a society. I'm all for someone getting ticketed for eating a Big Mac while driving if they are being reckless, swerving, not paying attention, etc. And if someone has consumed too much cannabis to drive safely I don't want them on the road either.

I have only been in a few car accidents many years ago, and every time I was completely sober. Each time I honestly asked myself if I would have had the accident if I was under the influence of cannabis. And I can confidently state that I most likely would have avoided the accidents if I was high.

As far as I'm concerned any amount of THC counts as high. If I feel the slightest change in my head I consider myself high. The interesting thing is that at low doses of cannabis I am high yet also better at anything involving concentration and coordination, such as driving. I seldom consume large doses of cannabis but when I do there is no way I would ever get behind the wheel.

 

[ZC]

I feel like there are straight edge police implants lurking and therefore I will limit my future comments on THIS thread, as not to incriminate my self to law enforcement officials. And to law enforcement let me be the first to introduce you with a big warm 'fuck you'

I am going to get high as shit driving. Everyone who I know that gets high does so while driving.

Show the science, or shut up. Who PERSONALLY KNOWS SOMEONE WHO GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE HIGH?

I'm not about to defend my drug use, it makes me want to use more drugs!

If you don't like it...complete the puzzle...
F_C_ _O_!

I also swim immediately following large meals...I'm a rebel!

I love how you start off with your worry of law enforcement lurking and incriminating yourself, say you're not going to post further, and then immediately, loudly, and proudly you "incriminate yourself."

That all said you don't need to defend your drug use. I don't think anyone here thinks they're going to convince you of anything.