Consequences In Store For Impaired Drivers

A voter-approved marijuana legalization amendment in Colorado was declared part of the state constitution Monday by Gov. John Hickenlooper. The declaration, a procedural step, means that marijuana is effectively legal for recreational use in Colorado-but not while you drive.

The  Colorado State Patrol is reminding motorists that if you chose to consume marijuana and make the decision to drive  you are taking a huge risk.

“Drivers must realize that if you are stopped by law enforcement officials and it is determined that your ability to operate a motor vehicle has been affected to the slightest degree by drugs or alcohol or both, you may be arrested and subjected to prosecution under Colorado’s DUI/DUID laws,” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol.  “It is imperative that everyone takes responsibility for public safety when driving on Colorado’s highways.”

So, although it essentially is against the law to "smoke" and drive, it feels like our highways just got more dangerous. When we read about a car accident it's not uncommon to see the words "alcohol was a factor."  You can't help but wonder how many times in the future we are going to see the words "marijuana was a factor."

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