DUID Victim Network
THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes driving impairment. Legislators have long sought a per se level of THC in a driver’s blood that is equivalent to alcohol per se levels, .08 BAC in the United States and .05 BAC in most other countries.
“The Futile Search for the “Right THC per se Level” describes why there is no scientifically valid THC per se level. It is not because we … READ MORE
Colorado’s 2021 report “Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol” was released, covering arrests occurring in 2019. The report was delayed, hoping to capture more judicial activity on those arrests, activity that was delayed by COVID 19. It was worth the wait. This is the best report yet. Here are some highlights:
2021 report “Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol”
DUI is not just about alcohol, and DUID is not just … READ MORE
It’s not often that we laud the efforts of politicians but the courage of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker deserves notice. He is the sponsor of Bill H.4255 filed Nov 10, 2021, the Trooper Thomas Clardy law.
While conducting a traffic stop, Trooper Clardy was killed by a driver who subsequently tested positive for marijuana’s THC.
The bill implements recommendations of a special commission established in Massachusetts on “Operating under the Influence and Impaired Driving.”
Included … READ MORE
We were successful getting the state of Colorado to amend its Driver Education Handbook to educate new teen drivers about the dangers of drugged driving. Not just marijuana-impaired driving, but driving under the influence of any number of drugs or their combinations. We expect the revised manual to be published early next year. It will be available on the CDOT website.
Learning of this success, Sally Schindel asked if the same could be done in … READ MORE
Introduction
Proponents of marijuana[1] legalization tout the drug’s safety and emphasize some of its medicinal properties. They have been successful in achieving legalization of marijuana in many jurisdictions, for medical and/or recreational use. Widespread use has enabled scientists to better understand two long-recognized safety concerns of the drug:
We are bombarded daily with information, some of which is misleading, … READ MORE
September 29th 2021, Boston’s Public Broadcasting station WGBH released its NOVA documentary entitled “The Cannabis Question.” A week later it sponsored a panel discussion on the same topic. WGBH asked panel discussion attendees their opinion of the presentations. So this is what I sent to them:
Perhaps you think “The Cannabis Question” is a balanced presentation because it does a reasonable job presenting some of the science of two chemicals in cannabis, THC and … READ MORE
We submitted the following letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland today, copying the White House.
This was part of a nationwide effort on the part of many activists encouraging the Federal Government to take action against the out-of-control commercialization of marijuana in Colorado and elsewhere. Our letter was specifically tailored to deal with drugged driving
As a representative of victims of drugged driving, I respectfully request that you impose a moratorium on opening … READ MORE
It hasn’t worked for Colorado, but that’s not stopping defense attorney/Senator Nathan Manning from trying to weaken Ohio’s drugged driving laws with his proposed SB 203.
Manning hopes to emulate Colorado by replacing Ohio’s current 2 ng/ml THC per se statute with a rebuttable inference that a driver is DUI if the THC blood level is at least 5 ng/ml. Even sillier, he adds a further inference if the THC level in urine is 25 … READ MORE
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has a mission of reducing substance use disorder. Occasionally ONDCP has made common sense suggestions to deal with drugged driving. It seems now that “woke” political views are diverting its attention away from what it should be doing.
July 8, 2021 the ONDCP requested public comments on “Application of Equity in U.S. National Drug Control Policy.” ONDCP seeks public input on how their actions or inactions … READ MORE
DUID Victim Voices has been highly critical of the Denver Post’s inaccurate reporting, cheerleading for commercialization of psychotropic drugs like marijuana and ignoring its adverse consequences to Colorado citizens. The Feb 28, 2020 editorial suggests they may be changing their tune. Then again, maybe not.
The editorial was entitled: “Colorado should restrict the potency of marijuana concentrates, keep them away from teens.” It recognized data from multiple peer-reviewed journals citing the link between psychosis and … READ MORE