As states around the country legalize marijuana, law enforcement agencies are wrestling with drugged driving.
A recent story in The Wall Street Journal highlights how the growing use of marijuana among drivers is raising concerns about road safety.
New data suggests marijuana legalization may contribute to over 1,400 additional traffic fatalities annually in the U.S.
Many drivers remain unaware of the risks of driving while high — with only 70% recognizing the danger of driving after using marijuana, compared to 94% for alcohol.
Law enforcement agencies are grappling with the challenge of detecting marijuana impairment. Current testing methods like saliva swabs can indicate recent use but not impairment levels. Unlike alcohol, where blood concentration correlates with impairment, THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, behaves differently in the body — making it difficult for law enforcement to determine which drivers should not be on the road.
All of this comes as Arkansans wrestle with whether or not to expand marijuana in the state.
Right now the group Arkansans for Patient Access is working to pass a marijuana amendment in Arkansas.
Under this measure, marijuana users would no longer need to show they suffer from a specific medical condition listed in state law — making it easier to use marijuana recreationally.
The amendment would give free marijuana cards to immigrants and out-of-state residents who come to Arkansas to use marijuana.
The amendment would guarantee marijuana growers and sellers a monopoly over the state’s marijuana industry.
The measure also fails to limit the amount of THC in marijuana products, and it repeals restrictions designed to protect children from marijuana advertising.
All of this would lead to more marijuana in Arkansas. Family Council Action Committee has materials available regarding the marijuana amendment:
You can learn more at FamilyCouncilActionCommittee.com.
Drugged driving is a serious public safety problem, and it underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
