Monday, April 3, 2017 the Santa Fe New Mexican published Don’t regulate marijuana like alcohol, an op-ed co-authored with Barry Logan, PhD, and Stephen Talpins, JD. The thrust of the op-ed is that, since marijuana is unlike alcohol chemically and metabolically, an impairment-based per se limit like we have for alcohol just doesn’t work for marijuana’s THC. There is no scientific support for any THC per se limit. In particular, the 5 ng/ml THC … READ MORE
Continued rise in DUID, reports CSP
Colorado makes no effort to collect, analyze and publish DUID statistics in the state. The state’s DUI reports cannot distinguish between causes of DUI, even though many law enforcement officers are trained to do so.
The ability to identify drugged drivers is especially true in the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) that typically writes 20-25% of the state’s DUI citations. All troopers are trained in ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement), which gives them more tools … READ MORE
Setting the record straight
The Denver Post reported on March 4, 2017 that Jesus Carreno received a maximum sentence of six years after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide due to reckless driving and DUI. The report is misleading, although technically correct. Vehicular homicide caused by reckless driving is a Class 4 felony, which carries with it a presumptive sentencing range of 2 to 6 years in prison. Carreno also pled guilty to DUI, which is a misdemeanor, not a … READ MORE
Bad News, Good News
The bad news: Denver voters approved Initiative 300 in the November, 2016 election. Initiative 300 bypasses Amendment 64’s constitutional promise that legalized marijuana could not be consumed publicly. It permits Denver’s bars and restaurants to apply for marijuana social use permits under certain conditions.
The good news: Less than two weeks later, Colorado’s Department of Revenue issued a regulation prohibiting marijuana consumption at any liquor licensee, including bars, restaurants, and special events. Given … READ MORE
There’s a better way
The fall 2016 issue of The Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice featured our article, “Why a 5 ng/ml THC limit is bad public policy – and the use for Tandem per se DUID legislation.” The article includes emerging thoughts to deal with DUID that were initially presented by Dr. Barry Logan of NMS and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, both referenced in the feature article.
We have called Logan and AAA’s approach … READ MORE