(COLORADO) — “The bottom line? You can get a DUI for driving high,” wrote the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), reminding drivers of Colorado’s law.
“In fact, Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement are trained to detect and arrest cannabis-impaired drivers,” wrote CDOT in a recent Facebook post. “The law states that driving under the influence of any impairing substance (not just alcohol) is illegal.”
What Colorado law says about driving under the influence of cannabis
CDOT broke down the law as it pertains to cannabis use as follows:
Drivers with five nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per milliliter of whole blood can be prosecuted for DUI.
Open weed packaging and the use of cannabis products is also illegal while in a vehicle.
The same goes for medical use: Cops can arrest you if they suspect cannabis impairment.
“If you’ve been consuming cannabis, in any form and in any amount, put down the keys and choose a sober ride. It’s always better to use a rideshare service or call a sober friend than risk a DUI for driving high,” CDOT warned.
How long should you wait before driving?
“The question is: how long do you need to wait before driving? Below is some information from our friends at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,” wrote CDOT, which listed the following guidelines to consider in terms of cannabis use:
Wait at least six hours after smoking marijuana containing less than 35 milligrams (mg) THC before driving, biking or performing other safety-sensitive activities.
If you’ve smoked more than 35 mg, you need to wait longer.
Wait at least eight hours after eating or drinking marijuana containing less than 18 mg THC before driving, biking or performing other safety-sensitive activities.
If you’ve consumed more than 18 mg, wait longer. If you have consumed alcohol as well, it’s crucial to wait even longer. Using cannabis and alcohol together enhances the effects of each, causing increased side effects. And some products sold on the illegal market can even cause intoxicating effects that last longer than 12 hours.
“In Colorado, the typical marijuana cigarette or joint contains approximately 0.5 grams of marijuana, which means consuming about 60-115 mg of THC,” CDOT wrote. “The standard serving size for a marijuana edible is 5-10 mg. However, consuming similar amounts of THC in edibles will typically have stronger effects than if smoked.”
According to CDOT, a DUI arrest for driving high can lead to several consequences.
“Like drunk driving, a DUI arrest for high driving can lead to jail time, license suspension and a cost of over $13,500 when you factor in attorney fees, court fees and fines.”
