It has been a few years now since marijuana has been made legal, both medicinally and recreationally, in areas of the United States. Unfortunately, it seems that there is still much confusion among the general public as to what exactly the laws concerning marijuana are.
In particular, consumers face issues gauging their own levels of impairment with the drug. They don’t know what standards to compare with nor do they understand how the drug affects their driving. Plus, marijuana DUI laws have been difficult to enforce. The safest rule of thumb would be if you feel any sort of impairment, it is probably safer to not get behind the wheel.
To improve safety on the road, more research needs to be conducted to better understand the effects of marijuana on the human body. This information would better prepare us and help us find a better way to conduct accurate field sobriety tests for THC. Well, it seems that steps are being taken in that direction. On July 10, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 127, a bill that would allow the Department of California Highway Patrol to conduct research into marijuana and its impact.
The bill would add some extra text into Section 23152 of the Vehicle Code to read, “Notwithstanding Section 23152, a person who is under the influence of a drug or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and drug who is under the supervision of, and on the property of, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may drive a vehicle for purposes of conducting research on impaired driving.”
Overall, the hope is that the research conducted by the Department will help promote public safety and public awareness about the use of marijuana and driving.
The post More Research for Marijuana-Impaired Driving appeared first on Law Offices of Taylor and Taylor - DUI Central.