Do Colorado Lawmakers Need Drug Classes?

by: Mike Miller
6/2/2017

Politicians cannot seem to agree on anything these days. From our Congressmen in Washington, DC to our state’s capitols, stagnation and inefficiency are the current norm.

A marijuana blood limit for drivers was rejected for a third time in Colorado, as lawmakers from both parties argued about how to fairly gauge whether someone is too stoned to get behind the wheel. This according to the AP.

The bill would have made Colorado the third state in the nation with a blood-level limit for marijuana, much as the nation has a blood-alcohol limit of .08.

As it stands now in all but two states, driving under the influence (DUI) violations for drugs are enforced by officer observation. Certainly a more scientific method is in order!

The Colorado Senate fell a single vote short on the bill setting a drivers' blood standard for THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The measure failed on a 17-17 tie, one vote short of the number needed to advance it.

Colorado is just one state that has seen rising arrest rates for people driving under the influence of drugs, as well as data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showing more drivers in fatal accidents test positive for marijuana.

"It is past time to get this done," said Republican Rep. Mark Waller, sponsor of the bill.

Those opposing the measure in Colorado pointed out that more than 90 percent of Colorado's drugged-driving criminal cases already end in convictions, so they questioned whether the 5 nanogram limit would change behavior.

In an especially disturbing move some opponents tried to amend the bill to exempt state-certified medical marijuana patients from the limit. Of course, the amendment failed.

Nevada, which is among the 16 states that allow medical marijuana, and Ohio have a 2 nanogram THC limit for driving.

Does this seem like something that should be a priority? Do you feel safe driving with your family knowing there are stoned drivers in every direction? What is the answer?