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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMarijuana Sobriety Checkpoints: New California Legislation to Outlaw Driving While Stoned
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2012/03/marijuana_dui_norma_torres.php... Under a bill introduced last month by a SoCal assemblywoman, driving while stoned would result in an automatic DUI offense.
The proposed bill would tag this "offense" onto the section of the Vehicle Code that addresses drunk driving. The new section states that any level of "cannabinoids or synthetic cannabinoid compound" found in a driver's blood or urine, up to three hours after a traffic stop, would equate to a DUI, according to AB 2552, which was introduced by Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona).
However, cannabinoids remain in the body for days or weeks after consumption, according to California NORML. If passed, Torres' bill would essentially criminalize outright operation of a motor vehicle by any marijuana user. So hopefully tokers know enough beer-drinkers skilled enough to stay under 0.08 to designated-drive them to work.
... Word of the bill's existence broke over the weekend among the marijuana community: NORML issued a press release on Saturday, and union organizers pledged to fight the measure with "everything we have," according to Dan Rush, national director of the medical cannabis and hemp division of United Food and Commercial Workers. The union is also fighting a similar bill in Colorado, Rush said.
anti-alec
(420 posts)Colorado Legislature tried the same thing last year, and it failed.
Because of the same lingering problems - long-time stoners have cannabonoids on their systems for a long time.
CrispyQ
(36,527 posts)I'm sure none of these legislators ever toke up.
Initech
(100,104 posts)Do they ever get it??
think
(11,641 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)Because there isn't a profile for stoned drivers except perhaps strict adherence to traffic controls.
think
(11,641 posts)This is just discrimination on behalf of the alcohol industry and law enforcement who don't want to see revenue losses.
kysrsoze
(6,023 posts)DoBotherMe
(2,340 posts)I haven't smoked in 20 years. I had a few tokes at my 20 yr class reunion and was so paranoid I drove 15 miles at 20mph, praying to God that if I get home I'll never smoke dope again! It was hilarious! Dana ; )
Whiskeytide
(4,463 posts)saying...
"When you're drunk, you run the red lights. When you're stoned, you stop at the green ones."
Been 30 years since I last lit one up, but I seem to recall that to have been spot on.
saras
(6,670 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,426 posts)"Because there isn't a profile for stoned drivers except perhaps strict adherence to traffic controls."
Oh yeah, now I remember they want to criminalize the people.
librechik
(30,676 posts)I certainly expect them to, since legalizing is looking inevitable.
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)when testing for sobriety. Take Breath every time.
shanti
(21,675 posts)Last edited Mon Mar 12, 2012, 05:40 PM - Edit history (1)
detected by a breath test?
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)They trick you into the blood test, but you do have the choice. With the blood test they can test for all drugs not pot.
shanti
(21,675 posts)because it would probably win time to come down HARD on your reps, californians! this is bullshit, and can never be allowed to pass!
(btw, you should crosspost this to the california forum)
Lawlbringer
(550 posts)but driving while high, drunk, stoned, down, up, unconscious, or on the astral plane (I'm looking at you, Professor Xavier) should be illegal.
If you can finish the sentence, "Did I eat 50 white castle burgers? Holy crap, I was so _____" with any of those terms, you are putting other people at risk.
woofless
(2,670 posts)Look pal, I have been using cannabis for more than 40 years. In all that time I managed to never be fired from a job, never get a speeding or moving violation ticket. I have had exactly one 2 mph fender bender that incurred very little damage and no physical harm to people. I have never had a fist fight. I have never beat my spouse. I have never eaten 50 White Castle burgers. I am NOT uncommon or unusual. I know many, many people just like me who are regular cannabis users and so do you. Really, you do. Grow up.
Lawlbringer
(550 posts)Grow up? Honestly?
Anyway, I know people who say the same thing when they drink. I don't like to do that, so when I drink, I take the train. My personal opinion is that if it alters your perception in any way, you really shouldn't get behind the wheel. Your opinion is different, and I respect that and you may be a responsible user, so you should be commended. But don't tell me that I know people who smoke and expect me to be taken aback. Of course people I know use! Everyone I know uses or has used recently lol. The 50 slider thing was from a friend who got so messed up that he found out he ate 50 burgers because he didn't remember buying for all of us. He didn't remember eating them. He didn't remember getting home. He thought he smoked and stayed in. I have a friend who was playing volleyball while high and went up to spike the ball but forgot what he was doing!
There are limits. You can have a few drinks and never get into an accident. You can have one night where you are so messed up by it that you happen to luck out and ALMOST hit someone. It's a crapshoot. But you're really stacking the odds in the other direction when you use anything irresponsibly. "A few bad apples" and all. Just my opinion. Or should I grow up and attack people for how they feel?
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)The problem is that the tests only detect presence of THC, whether or not the amount is at an IMPAIRMENT level.
So if you had a beer yesterday you should be charged with DWI today under that standard.
Lawlbringer
(550 posts)I didn't think of the levels bit. So if it's ever legalized, how would they even be able to test it? Blood test? Peepee test? I could imagine the cop saying, "Piss into my glove."
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)A friend and I were pulled over in his car one night by a state trooper. He wanted to bust my buddy for DWI and gave him all the tests. He blew a 0.08 when the limit was still 0.10. Then he made him do all the other crap and finished by telling him to take his left middle finger and touch his nose. My friend asked "Middle finger?" and the cop said "You heard what I said and don't get smart with me?"
So he smiled and touched his nose with his middle finger in the classic gesture. The trooper got all bent out of shape and it got worse when his partner started laughing and said "Well, you told him to."
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)How about anti-depressants or a nerve pill? They certainly alter the mind. What about driving after using viagra or cialis? Those drugs can mess with vision. We could go on and on in regards to the side affects of prescription drugs and their potential to cause harm while driving.
So many people are either drinking, smoking or taking drugs, that's it is really a wonder that anyone is driving sober.
So what should we do? Maybe have everyone that is pulled over for speeding or not using a turn signal piss in a cup and be detained until their urine has been evaluated for all possible drugs? I won't even bother to go into the food one could consume that could cause a false positive. Poppy seed muffins is just one food I'll name.
Tveil
(108 posts)DUI just means driving under the influence. It could just be only Benadryl, but if it effects your driving, You're fair game. At least in my State.
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)or do they currently just get the people that admit it?
Hippo_Tron
(25,453 posts)Nor should they be using any devices that distract their attention from the road. Fact of the matter is, though, that the NHTSA doesn't even keep statistics on deaths caused by stoned drivers, because there isn't enough data to do so. Yes in an ideal world we'd all be fully alert and conscious at the wheel. However, we don't punish every person who isn't with a DUI.
Stoned (or any impaired) type of driving is a bad idea. Drunk driving is a worse idea. Reckless driving (which alcohol can help contribute to) is an even worse idea and it's the kind of driving that usually gets people killed.
Lawlbringer
(550 posts)Well put.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)The new section states that any level of "cannabinoids or synthetic cannabinoid compound" found in a driver's blood or urine, up to three hours after a traffic stop, would equate to a DUI, according to AB 2552, which was introduced by Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona).
They are going to do a piss test three hours after the stop somehow? I don't think the author of the bill even knows what it means. I think it's just FUD, a bone for people that give campaign money.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)She's a shill, and she's shilling.
Ikonoklast
(23,973 posts)If it does pass, the courts would be clogged with people demanding a jury trial, with expert witnesses called.
benld74
(9,910 posts)Rex
(65,616 posts)USArmyParatrooper
(1,827 posts)that doesn't involve peeing in a cup, I don't have a problem with this proposal. Marijuana should be legal but also mandated that it's used responsibly. People shouldn't drive while high.