As of today California has officially made Marijuana legal for recreational use. This adds California to the list of several states that have completely legalized and regulated the drug in the United States. With this massive law gradually changing throughout the US, the countries neighbor to the north continues to prepare itself for the inevitable day where it to will join this massive growing industry.
With the legalization of a new substance comes many questions, one of which is the safety aspect of operating a vehicle while under the influence. Now let me be clear, I am 100% against anyone who is intoxicated while behind the wheel and believe that there should be laws in place in order to deter incapacitated motorists. In order to monitor a drivers blood alcohol level, scientists have developed a variety of effective tools known as breathalyzers. But unfortunately where alcohol has had years of research to develop preventative technology to complete effective and accurate roadside tests, Marijuana only being recently legalized, means it too will need time to develop its own devices.
Due to this, governing bodies must put laws in place that restrict stoned drivers who are under the influence and endangering themselves and others from driving. Because there are no Marijuana test kits on the market for police officers to use, they are resorted to classifying all motorists who have Marijuana within their systems as driving under the influence. This in turn brings upon the same penalties that are associated with drunk driving, which in Canada have very steep consequences.
Now by no means do I believe that if you are completely stoned you should be allowed to drive, but as with alcohols 0.05 limit, at least you are able to gauge how much you can safely consume.
Below I have attached a nonofficial driving test comparing the difference between Marijuana and alcohol intoxication behind the wheel.
After watching that video it is clear that there is a safe limit to operating a vehicle while under the influence of both alcohol and Marijuana, but there can also be devastating consequences when the driver becomes impaired.
What I have taken away from all of these discussions is simply that. Regardless of the substance there is a difference between alert/ in control and impaired. If you drink way to much coffee and you are unable to control your vehicle properly and safely, I believe it should be treated the same as anything else.
But that is just my opinion and I would love to hear from some people on Steemit in regards to what they would recommend as a solution. Should police continue using the same laws that they are currently using or is there a better way to make the roads safer for both pedestrians and drivers.
Thanks for reading this quick article. Please remember to upvote, resteem and comment below with your thoughts on this situation.
Until next time,
Grayson