SPOKANE, WA · MARIJUANA DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Washington is not limited to alcohol. Drivers can also face DUI charges for operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana (THC), even though recreational marijuana use is legal in Washington State.
Marijuana can affect judgment, coordination, reaction time, and driving ability. Law enforcement officers investigate suspected marijuana impairment during traffic stops and following motor vehicle collisions, particularly those involving serious injuries or fatalities. However, the presence of THC in a driver’s system does not always establish actual impairment, making the circumstances of the arrest and the evidence especially important in marijuana DUI cases.
A marijuana DUI conviction can carry serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension or revocation. Understanding your rights and challenging questionable evidence can be critical to building an effective defense.
5 NG/ML THC LEGAL LIMIT
Detecting marijuana in the system is much different than the procedures for alcohol testing; it involves blood or urine testing. Cannabis DUI or Weed DUI is given if the marijuana legal limit of five nanograms per milliliter of THC, the ingredient that purportedly contains psychoactive qualities, in the blood.
Proving marijuana intoxication can be somewhat of a challenge for prosecutors, and a skilled Spokane, WA, Marijuana DUI Attorney can be beneficial to have on your side.
QUESTION 01
Despite the legal limit, law enforcement continues to remain divided on how to efficiently detect a person who is “impaired” by marijuana. A field sobriety test may be, therefore, be inefficient, in determining intoxication.
A person who is intoxicated by alcohol may clearly show signs through slurred speech, slower reaction time, or uncoordinated movements. However, there are no tell-tale behaviors that are apparent for those under the influence of marijuana. Furthermore, the legal limit does not take into account that that intoxication, whether by alcohol or marijuana, affects every person differently. Therefore, the laws that apply to alcohol intoxication may not be entirely appropriate to govern marijuana intoxication.
QUESTION 02
One of the challenges in marijuana DUI cases is determining whether a driver was actually impaired at the time of driving. THC affects individuals differently, and factors such as frequency of use and individual tolerance can influence its effects. Unlike alcohol, THC levels in the blood do not consistently correlate with the degree of impairment. As a result, marijuana DUI cases may raise important questions about the reliability of testing methods, police observations, and other evidence used to establish impairment. An experienced DUI attorney can evaluate these factors and challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
For those who have been accused of a marijuana DUI offense, legal representation to combat those charges should be a priority. Here at Bugbee Law Office we offer free marijuana DUI consultations so that you can discuss in further detail about your specific case.
The information on this website is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Read the full disclaimer.
