Cannabis & Driving
The information here is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal advice or as a substitute for legal counsel.
Cannabis and Driving
- Driving high is not legal.
- DUI is Driving Under the Influence of any impairing substance or combination of substances, including alcohol, cannabis, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, or illegal substances.
- Being Under the Influence of cannabis means that as a result of using cannabis, your mental or physical abilities are so impaired that you can no longer drive a vehicle with the caution of a sober person, using ordinary care, under similar circumstances.
- Driving with any amount of THC in your body can put you at risk of facing legal consequences. There is no per se amount of THC used to establish impairment.
- Remember that THC can remain in your system for 2 weeks or longer, even if you are no longer high.
- Whether under the influence of adult-use or medicinal-use cannabis, the laws and penalties surrounding DUI are the same.
- Legal ramifications of a DUI conviction may include: a jail or prison sentence, up to $10,000 in fines, a suspended or revoked driver's license, a criminal record, and more.
- It is not legal to use cannabis in a car while it's being operated, even if the car is parked or the person using cannabis is a passenger.
- It is not legal to drive with an open container of cannabis in the car, much like it is not legal to drive with an open container of alcohol.
THC
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Effects from inhalation (smoking or vaping) reach their peak about 10-30 minutes after use, though It can take upwards of 2 hours to feel the full psychoactive effects. People who drive immediately after inhaling cannabis double their risk of getting into a car crash.
- Effects from ingesting oral cannabis or edibles take longer to kick-in, peak around 2-4 hours after consumption, and last much longer than those from inhalation.
- Higher doses of THC generally cause greater impariment, especially for those who are new to cannabis use or who use cannabis infrequently.
CBD
- Currently, there is no evidence suggesting CBD impairs driving ability.
- Some evidence suggests that CBD may lessen (though not eliminate) impairing effects of THC.
- Cannabis affects the part of the brain that controls body movement, balance, coordination, judgement and memory
- Cannabis slows down reaction time, decreasing a person's ability to make quick decisions
- Using cannabis at the same time as alcohol or other drugs is even more dangerous than when any substance is used on its own
- If you have been using or intend to use cannabis, plan to avoid driving until the effects completely wear off. Arrange for a friend to remain sober, use public transportation, or call a car service such as Uber, Lyft, taxi, etc..
- Because cannabis is fat soluble, know that neither food, water, coffee nor exercise will reduce your impairment or make you a better driver. The only thing that will reduce impairment is time.
- It is every drivers' personal responsibility to practice safe and sober driving habits.
- Always wear your seatbelt - it is your best defense against all kinds of risky drivers.
- Don't let your friends drive impaired. If you are sober, offer to drive them or arrange to have them picked up by a car service, friend, or family member.
- Talk to friends and family members about the legal and safety risks of driving under the influence of cannabis.
