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Now that marijuana and cannabis products have been legalized in many U.S. states, it’s difficult to escape it. Just take a simple walk or jog along the roadside, and you will find yourself getting a big whiff of the skunk-like smell of pot as a car or truck passes by. Many of those who indulge in legalized pot enjoy lighting up inside their vehicles since it is said to calm them down, especially during the evening and morning commutes to work. But this is where the trouble starts. Arizona being among the strictest in the country for DUI laws. They even have a new “super DUI law”.
If you are stopped and accused of driving under the influence (DUI), not of alcohol necessarily, but marijuana, you stand the chance of being arrested. If it happens in Arizona, you’ll need an experienced DUI lawyer. If this unfortunate circumstance should happen to you, you’re going to require the services of a reputable DUI lawyer who can represent you in a court of law so you can keep working and earning a paycheck.
That said, what are the risks of driving under the influence of marijuana? According to a recent report by The Conversation, driving after getting high on pot is a risky business and even a grave public health issue. This is why some law enforcement officials say it’s important to educate and promote public awareness of what to expect if you’re going to insist on getting stoned before and/or while driving.
Driving Your Vehicle Under the Influence of Pot
A questionable study recently conducted in Canada is said to show that the legalization of marijuana has not resulted in an increase in the rate of traffic injuries or accidents that occur from driving under its influence. However, this does not mean that driving after or while smoking pot is perfectly safe. Far from it.
A recent report that summarized nine recent “cannabis and driving” studies proved that pot actually doubled the risk of serious and/or fatal injury crash. In fact, pot-impaired driving was said to be associated with 12 percent of all serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle accidents in North America even before pot became widely legalized. This means drivers were indulging in the substance when prior to or while driving, even before the legalization process began.
Pot vs. Booze
A marijuana high differs from an alcohol high. Since driving a vehicle requires your full concentration and attention, making split second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contained in cannabis has a direct effect on motor coordination and, therefore, reaction time.
Pot can also cause hallucinations in some smokers, which can only increase the likelihood of a collision with another vehicle or even an innocent bystander who is walking or jogging alongside the road. Many recent studies are said to have provided ample evidence that marijuana use is a risky business since it negatively affects performance on cognitive tests that are related to the process of driving.
The notion that pot isn’t nearly as risky as alcohol is said to be derived from the fact that a cannabis high is markedly different from that of booze. One of the major differences is that when it comes to pot, users are less aware of their impairment level.
Alcohol contains one single chemical that has been researched for decades. Reliable tests can measure blood alcohol levels which are directly associated with impairment. On the other hand, marijuana contains several chemicals that can lead to several levels of temporary cognitive loss.
Impairment Factors
Says The Conversation, it’s not easy predicting the precise effect marijuana can have on any given individual. That’s because impairment is based on varying factors, which include the particular dose of THC, individual biology, personal experience with pot use, and the method of consumption, be it smoking or chewing edibles.
Today, there exist several varieties of legal cannabis products. Each one of them contains a different amount of THC and, therefore, takes a varying time element for the active chemical to reach its peak in your system.
Here’s an idea of typical pot consumption methods and the time it takes to become impaired.
Inhalation (vaping or smoking): Effects usually begin after about ten minutes and can last two to four hours at their peak but can remain in your system for 24 hours.
Chewy Edibles: Chemical activity begins after about an hour and can last four to six hours or up to 24 hours.
If you’re going to imbibe marijuana and drive, experts suggest waiting a minimum of four to six hours after consuming THC. If you are combining marijuana with alcohol, the level of impairment you are going to realize makes it far too dangerous to get behind the wheel at all. If you do, you not only risk causing a fatality to an innocent person, but you also risk killing yourself.