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Drugged Driving: Experts Say Marijuana DUI Limit Should Be Similar to Alcohol, Not Zero Tolerance

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #506)

An international working group of 11 researchers from six countries will recommend that Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) laws aimed at marijuana users adopt a limit of a set amount of THC in the bloodstream instead of relying on a zero tolerance approach that criminalizes anyone who has any THC or metabolites in his bodily fluids. Zero tolerance DUID laws are in effect in several countries and several US states.

But the group, led by prominent marijuana and driving impairment researcher Franco Grotenherman, found that zero tolerance laws are not science-based and wrongly classify many non-impaired drivers as being under the influence of marijuana.

The group suggested a limit of between seven and 10 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood serum to accurately indicate impairment. That would compare to a blood alcohol level of 0.05%, which is lower than the currently used 0.08% or 0.10%.

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) senior policy analyst Paul Armentano told the national NORML conference in Los Angeles last weekend that the federal government is preparing to release a report containing recommendations on DUID laws later this year. The study will advocate zero tolerance laws, Armentano predicted.

Grotenherman and his colleagues published their findings in the October 2007 issue of the journal Addiction. An abstract is available online here.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

there is evidence that driving under the influence of cannabis actually IMPROVES driving ability (an episode of Top Gear, for example, suggests this)...also, it has been shown that TIRED drivers are the most dangerous (more dangerous even than drunk drivers)...but there is nothing the "law" can do about that...furthermore, there was a recent report showing that people who take opiates for chronic pain eventually compensate and can drive without being a danger...this is probably also true of cannabis...

Sun, 10/21/2007 - 3:39pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Alot of people sate "there is evidence" SHOW ME ! Just like most of the "I HAVE HEARD" and "THERE IS EVIDENCE" statements, no one seems to be able to qualify there statements with facts. Here is a fact, A DRUG US A DRUG IS A DRUG according to NIDA , the Institute fro Drug and Alcohol. And all DRUGS are MIND AND MOOD ALTERING, NIDA. IMPAREMENT = UNDER THE INFLUENCE if a DRUG ! NIDA
So THER ARE THE FACTS !!!

Mon, 11/10/2008 - 4:35pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I've driven well over 2 million miles the last 4 decades. Some of them at the wheel enjoying a nice working buzz. Never had anything close to an accident or incident aside from the dozen or so deer which have ended up in the grille-work of my various trucks and automobiles. I find myself more critical of my own driving skills and more attune to what is happening around me when I've had a few tokes. My friends agree with this statement. Some smoke and some don't so you can factor personal opinion out of it..

I honestly can't recall one accident from somebody driving wrecked anywhere around here. Wish I could say the same for the drunks who get behind the wheel and murder thousands every year. I'm sure every person reacts in their own way, but most of us old heads know when you shouldn't operate anything more dangerous than a toaster oven when baked. My old buddy Stub once said, "If you can't find your keys in 10 seconds you are too fried to drive."

If you ask yourself this question, "Should I try to do this (pretty much anything that involves power tools, gasoline or fire.) stoned?" And you can't say for certain you can do it safely in 1 second you should wait until later to try. It's always worked for me. I know for a fact since 1964 I've incinerated over 20 lbs of crummy to primo weed. No ill health effect I know of.... Maybe a few bad teeth from brownies and Oreos perhaps....

Be well and stay level.
Uncle Buster, In the Mountains of Northern Pennsylvania

Mon, 10/22/2007 - 8:11pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Dude, you're a moron, and one of the reasons weed is not legal. It's no help to the cause that you're bragging about driving while impaired by weed.

I support weed being legal, and I fully support severely punishing those who drive under the influence of weed.

Drunk and drugged driving is a major problem; smoking weed and watching South Park isn't...

Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:04pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

O.k. guys. You cannot compare weed with alcohol. Alcohol kills and impairs. I know several people who have died of cirrhosis of the liver. We all know someone who has killed someone else while at the wheel drunk. We've all been at parties or in public where some drunken fool insists on driving his car and people are trying to talk him/her out of it. We've all someone violent and abusive while drunk. I could go on and on. Marijuana, if anything heightens your awareness. It's not that I'm a huge advocate, it's just a fact. Also, placing alcohol and weed in the same bucket for DUI is like comparing apples and oranges. Alcohol provides an instant, real-time result of your impairment. With marijuana, you could have the THC in your system for up to a month without being under the influence whatsoever as it is stored in body fat. It's a very unfair comparison and should not be used to punish anyone. Let's be real here. We've got people driving around with legal drugs in their systems. It seems to be o.k. that alcohol, pain killers, muscle relaxers, and sedatives are o.k., but a little weed isn't? For those of you who have never smoked, you have absolutely no frame of reference. For years, there are TV shows and talking heads who have blown this out of proporation and scared the public into thinking that you would see "colors", while smoking. People are depicted laughing hysterically and talking like idiots. Remember the "Dragnet" episode where the couple was high on marijuana and left their baby in the bathtub to drown? C'mon folks, this is partially why we have a problem today. You can't know what you don't know. Those who have smoked know how ridiculous this is. I drank a pot of coffee once and was so nervous and shaky that I felt dizzy and had a heck of a time driving. This is legal and in everyone's kitchen, but for those who are caffeine sensitive, it can make you pretty sick. Where do we draw the line?

Sun, 11/15/2009 - 10:01am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I was cited for a duid while I was sleeping in a Wal-mart parking lot, my wehicle out of gas. The first citation was for the duid, which was determined thru a blood test. Since I had a suspended drivers license (caught driving w/o insurance) I rec'd a 2500.00 fine.
Then I recieved another fine for another 2500.00 for finding cocaine in my blood... this because cocaine is a 'sched. one controlled substance'.
This is how the law enforcement agencies rack up illegal monies using blurred facts of law in rural central pennsylvania.
This occurred in 2004 and I'm continuing to seek a pro bono attorney to represent me, without any luck what-so-ever.

Tue, 10/23/2007 - 8:26pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I got a DUID for pot when i wasnt even high and passed the sobriety test twice and 3 different breathalizers. my car was searched with nothing to be found except for my friends pot, bong, and medical license which he claimed all of. they then let him go home with all of those in his hands but made him drive back 30 mins later so they could use his weed as evidence when they decided they were going to take me to jail for a forced blood test because i looked like i shouldnt be driving which is amazing since passing a sobriety test twice is alot harder than sitting in a chair and turning a wheel and pushing a gas pedal or brake. now im looking at up to a year suspended license, any ideas on what i should do?

Sat, 01/26/2008 - 12:23am Permalink
word of reason (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

YES, A COUPLE OF THINGS FIRST: GET A LAWYER WHO KNOWS A SUBSTANCE ABUSE ANALYST-EXPERT.
THIS PERSON WHEN GIVEN THE DISCOVERY OF THE BLOOD WORK CAN TESTIFY ON YOUR BEHALF THAT THERE WAS NO WAY YOU WERE IMPAIRED FROM OPERATING A AUTOMOBILE.
second: stop smoking when you going to drive to avoid the whole problem all togather, treat it like the same as drinking laws and you'll avoid the local township and state cash registers that travel our highways and byways.
THIRD; REMEMBER ITS STILL A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND CAN GET YOU IN LEGAL TROUBLE.
ON A PERSONEL NOTE I DO NOT USE MARAJUANA IN ANY WAY AT ALL SO I'M NOT A SO CALLED STONER, I DO NOT CODONE DRIVING AT ALL IMPAIRED AT ALL AND I ALSO DONT THINK THE LOCAL MAJESTRATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE THEESE LAWS TO FILL THERE LOCAL PIGGY BANKS....

Tue, 06/15/2010 - 1:07pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I have 2 DUID arrest within the last 2 months. The first I was caught in a checkpoint and admitted to smoking 3 hours prior to driving. I did not have anything, so they took me for suspicon of driving under the influence. The second time, my friend had some in his cigarette pack and was smoking while I was driving. He told the officer it was his, but the officer said he did not believe him and arrested me. Can anyone give me an idea of what I can expect to happen? Thanks .

Tue, 05/20/2008 - 3:15am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Hello everyone I live in PA. I am 2.5 years sober, from alcohol and I recieved a DUID. I was arrested while driving home a drunk friend. We passed through a checkpoint and I was waved through and actually commended by the officer for being a designated driver. So I drop my friend off and have to go back through the checkpoint, I am waved through again, as I pull forward lights go on behind me, I pull over to let the officer pass and guess what he pulls up behind me to my surprise, I roll down the window and he tells me to pull over into the lot where they are giving field tests. I ask why and he says odor, now I passed through this checkpoint twice and was waved through after the officers checked me over. How does a guy in a car like 30+ feet back smell an odor when two guys were right in my face and didn't smell a thing. Long story short they really went through my car, I told them I did not consent to a search...I was told "idiots like you lose their rights when they drive around stoned, you could kill someone. Anyways i got arrested and I gave blood. I have since found out that when they searched my vehicle they found two rolling papers and some stems in a cigarette pack. That's right stems and papers. I broke the law, but the law is ridiculous.I hadn't smoked in over 7 hours. Here's the kicker I thought I knew the laws and I didn't apparently the DUI laws in PA have changed, I quit drinking and didn't pay attention. In PA we have a tier system, 3 tiers the highest being the worst. MJ is an automatic 3rd tier I'm looking at 90 days, 1.5 years no driving and the usual "fund raiser" money. I am self employed, my only employee is me, I own a house I just bought after sobering up and really changing my life. I was feeling the best I ever felt in my life, no alcohol at all zero aip...although I do have some help MJ. I get a craving I puff it's better for ME than alcohol. I have also found out that in PA all they need is 5ng/ml of blood to charge me. Well if you are an everyday smoker you walk around for weeks with that level plus in your brain. So I am being charged at the 2.0 BAC level tier, that's right I stood in a parking lot full of drunk people and got nailed. I was the most coherent person there by far, I watched some guys get cabs take them home. I spent the night in a holding cell, I got strip searched I got the all the attention if you catch me. So basically I turned my life around and worked my ass off to get to my better place, only to have my future taken away from me because of stems and papers that is my crime. My life is destroyed for a while for no reason. They don't test alcohol users two days after they smoke but you and I can get charged at any moment if you are a regular smoker, even if you quit for a bit. I am still trying to figure out if my rights were violated, I mean opening my trunk my glove box etc. I was told as soon as they arrested me i gave all my rights to not be searched. how can I be under arrest if they didn't have bloodwork yet, how can they arrest me for DUID if I have not tested positive? Also an officer pull you over if he smells an odor, that's right an odor. Can anyone prove an odor in court? Why do we have to prove everything and an officer can just say I smelled MJ...ridiculous. I would have been better off driving a unguided missle drunk off my ass. This is America and only in America would they bust a designated driver. So for driving my friend home I lose my life basically. The system is not helping me at all, I will have to pee quite often and MJ was my safety net from alcohol. Can you help a guy stay sober. Good job LEO you ruined another life. Oh BTW I need a lawyer that will fight for me...badly.

I truly nelieve I was pulled over for my long hair and beard I am convinced.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 12:07am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It's your own fault. Quit blaming the police. You chose to drive after smoking marijuana. it's called P.C.-Probable Cause. If a police stop you and smell marijuana comming from the car, that is probable cause to have you step out and conduct a DUI investigation. One they do FST's (Field Sobriety Tests) they can arrest you if they believe you are under the influence of alcohol/drugs. They then have the right to search you and the car, incident to the arrest. You need to quit wining and take responsibilty for your own actions.

Fri, 02/20/2009 - 2:49am Permalink
Druid (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You obviously did not actually read his entire comment. He said that he had not smoked in over 7 hours before he drove. That being said, your statement saying that he was driving under the influence "smoking MJ before driving" is false. For him to be under the influence he would have had to smoke, at the most 2 hours before, but I find that very hard to believe. He admitted to being an every day user of cannibus. He most likely had a high tolerance to pot. So I believe that he would have had to smoke, at most, an hour before he drove for him to actually be stoned (having used to be an everyday user of cannibus myself though I am now completely clean and do not toke). The only way that he could have still been stoned after 7 hours, is that he had "THE BEST" marijuana in the world. The likeliness that there is even a strain of cannibus that has a high enough THC content to keep an everyday smoker stoned for 7 hours is nil.

As for your statement that they could smell the marijuana from his car, he clearly stated that he went through the same checkpoint twice and both times the officers that spoke to him face-to-face did not smell any "odor". Only the officer that was in a car 30 feet behind him could actually smell it. Thats complete bullshit. The officer would have had to had the nose of a dog to smell from that distance. And he did not even have actual pot on him. Just the stems (which in my opinion do not smell at all). So I believe that this "super-dog hybrid cop" is a complete fucking liar and was pulling him over for no reason other than that he looked like a suspicious character (the beard and long hair). I bet he was just hoping to get lucky just so he could fill his monthly arrest quota. Thats the only reason that they set up those checkpoints.

The money-grubbing law enforcement system that we have is complete B.S. Go and catch an actual criminal, I say. Before you tell the user that you replied to to stop whining, realize the fact that he was not actually trying to harm anyone or anything. He was just making his Alcoholism a little easier to handle. For you to tell him that he deserves any of the consequences, you are a true ass-hole. Try to empathize with someone who has these issues and not the crooked, money loving cops that ruined his life. I hope that you become a major herion, coke loving addict and then you can truly share the pain that this man has endured.

Sun, 06/20/2010 - 2:19am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Just one question is it illegal to smoke pot? Is it illegal to drink or be tired? I am not saying which is worse, I am just reading the law, the tired my be just as if not more dangerous then being drunk or stoned, but it is not illegal to be tired. Why is no one up in arms over making the laws tougher on people who drive very tired/fall asleep at the wheel, and drunk driving vs. making the law easier on poeple who are doing do illegal acts? I have driven drunk and am ashamed, I have driven very tired and I know I should not have been on the road. I can easily prevent the drunk driving and it will never happen again, I can also do all I can to not drive distracted or tired. My life and the life of my loved ones it to improtant. If you feel like enjoying any of these acts and driving please wait till I am behind the wheel of my box truck the chances of me living through the accident over you is far greater.

Fri, 06/06/2008 - 10:07am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

you asked if it was illegal to drive tired and the answer is no but who wrote the laws? did an all knowing deity write them? no, humans did and humans make mistakes. just because some people decided on something doesn't mean they were all right. btw next time you go drunk driving (even tho you promise you wont ever again, ya right) make sure it's not in your box truck, alright?

Thu, 08/27/2009 - 3:48pm Permalink
stoner dipshit (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It was at one point illegal to help runaway slaves in the south. Despite the glaring issue of ethics here, I suppose you would have obliged, since this was in fact the law. Your society locks people like me up and is creating a very large and very unsettled and disillusioned generation. Laws are only as valid as the people standing behind them, and the people behind this one are very invalid, in my opinion. Here's a brief history of why it was outlawed to begin with. In the early 1900s, the western states developed significant tensions regarding the influx of Mexican-Americans. The revolution in Mexico in 1910 spilled over the border, with General Pershing’s army clashing with bandit Pancho Villa. Later in that decade, bad feelings developed between the small farmer and the large farms that used cheaper Mexican labor. Then, the depression came and increased tensions, as jobs and welfare resources became scarce. One of the “differences” seized upon during this time was the fact that many Mexicans smoked marijuana and had brought the plant with them, and it was through this that California apparently passed the first state marijuana law, outlawing “preparations of hemp, or loco weed.” Currently, people such as yourself fear and loathe (intentional name drop) people like me. I'm assuming it has to do with the outlandish and insane war on drugs. I assure you though, you can all stop your witch hunt. I am nothing to be afraid of.

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:28am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

how daRE YOU, get a life

Fri, 10/31/2008 - 11:49am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Will people realize that these goons are here because they are too complacent to vote or stand up for the rights that many innocent Americans have died for?

Americans are pathetic and deserve to be slaves. You should be ashamed of what you have allowed this once great nation to become.

When will it all end?

Thu, 07/03/2008 - 9:14pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

What is the maximum jail time if you are pulled over in PA and arrested for a DUI for weed? and it is your fist offence.

Sun, 08/31/2008 - 10:11am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

if i was the president or if i become a president i will stop that kind of drugs and gave them a gallon a milk for free so they can test which one is good for them. my mom used to tell me that all the time tht someone buy milk and seel the beer and someone sell milk to buy beer. i dont want to drink and i dont want to destroy myself and other. if you know who sell those marijuana or you know someone who use them PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND CALL 911 OR 941-423-3111.

THANK YOU
NORTH PORT POLICE DRPARTMENT

Wed, 11/26/2008 - 12:45pm Permalink
stoner dipshit (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why can't I choose to use or not use marijuana on my own? Do you think you know what is best for me? The police are as misguided as the laws they are upholding in this scenario. I know there are inherent risks to using any substance; but, I choose to smoke anyway. It relieves my stress and anxiety. It helps me unwind and to just enjoy whatever I'm doing. People have the ability to think rationally. Using that capability, I have decided that the rewards far outweigh any potential health risks. 

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:45am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

END THE DRUG WAR. If you smoke a joint today and drive sober a week from now, under a zero tolerance law you would get a DUI for marijuana and be sober. I think this is completely unfair. If you drank a beer today and drove sober two weeks from now you would not get a dui. The low bac dui laws only punish the innocent while the guilty still drive drunk and the marijuana DUI laws are completely unfair.

Thu, 02/05/2009 - 1:38am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Once again,, people are talking nonsence, and ingorant. If you smoke marijuana weeks ago, it may still be in your system. Police do FST's(Field Sobriety Tests) to determine impairment. If you smoke marijuana weeks prior, you should not show impairment and therefore will not be arrested.

Fri, 02/20/2009 - 2:55am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

A person several posts above stated how despite passing a FST three times; he was still arrested. I also recently saw on the news several officers around the chicago-land area pulling over sober drivers, watching them pass FST's, and then arresting them. Although many officers are out to help and protect the public, i think this country needs to rethink the way we train these officers and possibly give them less personal discretion in matters like these.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 5:15pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

WE CAN VOTE UNTIL OUR FINGERS FALL OFF. UNTIL WE AGAIN BECAUSE AMERICA IS NOT GOVERNED BY THE CONSTITUTION, which we will never be as long as there is a declared war, here being the war on drugs. A legal declared war, by Regan. The Articles of freedom are suspended.
What a sinister way to usurp our once great freedoms. And the drugs are imported by the CIA. This is not a some fantasy blanket statement I am making here.
America's criminal governors at all levels of the judiciary, know how to lie, and deceive. As with Iraq, they lied about our nations threat level, using Saddam Hussein as a ploy, to steal their culture and their oil. Then executed ( murdered Hussein).
Africa is next. Guess what Africa has a lot of?
OIL and natural gas. Same ploy will be told too Americans, Africa is a threat to America. They may even plan another attack on America and blame some people in Africa to justify going to war.
Watch....

BTW, be careful what you post. The American government buys many "opposing" web sites to identify those who expose there lies.

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 3:21am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

CORRECTIONS:

WE CAN VOTE UNTIL OUR FINGERS FALL OFF. It will prove futile, BECAUSE AS LONG AS WE ARE IN A WAR, AMERICA IS NOT GOVERNED BY THE CONSTITUTION, which we will never be as long as there is a declared war, here being the war on drugs.

ADDITION:
Some very truthful documentaries are " American Drug War: The Last White Hope". This very revealing documentary has a scene where a LA PD narcotics detective, testifies he sold and worked for the CIA to infest black neighborhoods with drugs.
He mentions "Freeway Ricky Ross", the first big time crack dealer. Ross knows the detective. Both worked for the CIA.
Ross is now doing 20 years. Compliments of the CIA. As Ross decided to stop his activities.
The CIA did not like that idea.

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 3:33am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I Live in Southern California and i drive under the influence of marijuana everyday.yeah omg so shocked,harsh reality.HAHA but dont get mad at me,im merely one of thousands of people who smoke and drive a vehicle,hell I smoke while driving.Ive been pulled over with marijuana 2 times already and once with a bong and was given everything back and sent on my way.haha i love the police down here.Im sorry to all of you idiots who look down apon me because I have a medical licencse because hey ive had spinal surgery and really dont feel like taking opiates, a very addictive substance. Lifes not fair. Im going to smoke and other people are going to smoke, call me ignorent or whatever. Your all just a bunch of uptight close minded people who dont know shit. I love the police,fuck drunk drivers,smoke weed everyday,drive stoned,talk all the shit you want,cause you all know your not going to change shit.Live with it bitches.

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 6:26pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

The bills been introduced to legalize and tax Marijauna in California. The person above me is right,nothings going to change,for weed smokers its only going to get better,all you other people better prepare yourselves for the "rude awakening"

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 6:29pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I grew up in S. California. Before the brown skinned parasite infestation bled it dry and destroyed the nicest place on earth.
Moving to Pa. 10 years ago, I have had more police interactions, then my entire 50 years. 40 in California.
recently a UPS driver was convicted of DUID. For microscopic trace elements of marijuana.
The State, ( here a Commonwealth), admitted the UPS driver was not remotely intoxicated. But the trace element, of weed, was all they needed to convict the UPS driver, of felony DUID, as a motorcyclist pulled in his path. Suffering horrible injuries.

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/505431.html?nav=742

I shudder for the young people emerging into this azz backward, tyrannical Nation.
There is no longer any written or practiced Articles of freedom.

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 2:59am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

"Before the brown skinned parasite infestation bled it dry and destroyed the nicest place on earth."

On behalf of all Californians, I'd like to thank you for moving your racist ass out of this state. The less people like you we have out here, the better the state is for those of us who like to actually use our brains. Thanks again buddy!

Thu, 09/24/2009 - 8:28pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Fuck all you HOMOS who hate stoners. We are a growing nation. When it's legal I hope I happen to light up a fatty right in front of you and blow the smoke in your face. Maybe you'll catch a contact buzz and realize you've been a nancy all you life and live a little.

Mon, 03/02/2009 - 12:35pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Keep in mind that many other drugs — whether they be legal or not, recreational or prescription — affect cognition and motor skills. In fact, 18 percent of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents are due to drug use (which does not include alcohol). To ride the road to safety, you should avoid operating heavy machinery (cars, tractors, amusement park rides, etc.) until you've checked into the effects of a drug you're taking on your ability to think straight and move smoothly.

don't violate my rights by doing what you just want to do, and please don't have your kids in the car

Fri, 06/05/2009 - 6:34pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

First marijuana law was that all landowning farmers must grow x amount of hemp per acre they own. That includes Ben Franklin and George Washington. Marijuana was first made illegal because Henry Anslinger was a racist bastard and pot was considered a "Black and Mexican drug." Don't knock it until you try it folks, i'm withholding animosity here but I'm glad to see people will base their animosity on the law. "Its illegal" isn't that good of a reaosn, jaywalking is illegal too. Google search stupid laws... you'll find some really amusing laws for every state, including yours. These laws are still active, just not inforced. One day, after our government stops funding the DEA for its (failed) War On Drugs (damn you nancy reagan!!!) people will realize that pot is a damn plant. Your god created it. Jesus was a stoner.

There's also plenty of people that rely on pot so they can eat each day. Not everybody lives without chronic illnesses...

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 5:31pm Permalink
life changing (not verified)

I recently was at my son's track meet, my wife, my son's girlfriend and myself. We had left the meet and where only on the road about 10 minutes when I was involved in a very serious accident, my wife and my son's girl friend being lifeflighted because of their injuries. I suffered chest truma and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. I am thankful to say that all are making a recovery. My wife up until the point of the accident never had anything wrong with her. Now she has a plate in her wrist, emergency operation because of a tear in her small intestine, in a body cast because of a fractured vertabrate in her back and a collapesed artery which required a stint and now on blood thinners the rest of her life. Why do I write all this, because the man that hit me was DUID. Him and I where approaching an intersection in opposite directions of each other when he drifted into my lane to make a left turn. He never came close to making the left because we hit head on.
I sit and read all the statements above, some educational and some just stupid. Say and do what you want but my life and the life of others have changed for ever all because a man wanted to get stoned. I don't have a problem with anyone wanting to have a good time. But when you get behind the wheel of a car it's a whole other issue. I have no feelings for people like that and justice will be served. In my mind the penality can't be hard enough. To the person using medical marijauna,, I pray not for you but all the people you pass on the highway that your stupity does not affect them or the ones they love. Everyone sits back and just enjoys life saying that can't happen to them. But in the matter of a second anyones life can change.
We all do our own thing, it's being responsible of ourselve and accepting what ever consequences that occur from our actions. It seems that is the problem with many, they never see doing anything wrong and it's always the other person or the law.

Wed, 05/12/2010 - 12:18pm Permalink
Jack Johnson (not verified)

Marijuana does not impair your driving and to those who say it does have obviously never smoked in their lives. Do some research and get an education. Alcohol is worse for your body than marijuana ask your doctor about it. I understand the fact of people that smoke weed and combine it with alcohol and/ or other drugs and then try and drive. Drinking and driving is irresponsible and suicidal.

Sat, 05/29/2010 - 3:17pm Permalink
AnonymousMike (not verified)

If you are high walking down the road and your friend is drunk and a cop stops you no matter if he thinks your high or not you can't go to jail but your friend can it is not illegal to be high but if your drunk and are in public you could be charged with a few different thing so tell me how bad weed really is
Wed, 04/11/2012 - 1:07am Permalink
korn (not verified)

i just got 2 yrs probatoin for smokeing pot and driveing  in ca got blood test by cops one was 40 the other is 19 pracent i didnt feel stoned just tierd from lack of sleep could u tell me what the numbers mean and was it out of systrm rnough to drive that was order aturny gave to me but my atturny sucked he told me to take dui since its my first one i didnt want duy  i was a block from house i pulled over cuz i was tierd and couldnt see straiy and feel asleep on side of road awake to cops and got dui cuz keys in ignition and runing cuz it was december and cold so wanted to rest for a min was asleep only 15 29 min and awoke on own now got misdamenor and have to pay 980 dollars and my aturny wouldnt help me wish i could get re trial or sumthing any advice thank u

Sat, 06/23/2012 - 3:19am Permalink

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