US CO: OPED: Yes: Studies Indicate Impairment Even at Low Levels

1/30/2012

YES: STUDIES INDICATE IMPAIRMENT EVEN AT LOW LEVELS

It is not surprising to see the outrage from the Colorado Pot Cartel and its many customers upon hearing the news that I am again running legislation addressing driving under the influence of drugs per se in our state. What is surprising is the naivete of the industry thinking that the defeat of my legislation last session would somehow silence the issue.

Studies on the effects of THC indicate that if a driver has greater than 1 nanogram/ml, they are impaired. In fact, if a driver has between 2 and 5 nanograms/ml in their system, even if they are a chronic user, they are six to seven times more likely to crash than a sober driver. While chronic users can compensate for some effects, they can never fully compensate for all effects of THC while driving.

Marijuana users driving a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of Colorado while under the influence of THC are a clear and present danger to the innocent traveling public.

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