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Marijuana
Drug Recognition Experts with the Washington State Patrol say marijuana can cause dizziness and slowed reaction time, and drivers are more likely to drift and swerve while they're high.(Linda Thomas photo)

Marijuana is top drug used by drivers the WSP pulled over

November 15, 2012 @ 7:49 pm (Updated: 7:46 am - 11/16/12 )

The Washington State Patrol has significant experience pulling over stoned drivers.

After alcohol, marijuana is the top drug used by people they've stopped for impaired driving so far in 2012, followed by methamphetamine and oxycodone.

A few months ago, I wrote about 200 officers in Washington who are trained to know which drug a person is using by observing them - Drug Recognition Experts.

Washington State Patrol Sergeant Mark Crandall is a DRE trainer. In his 20 years as a trooper he's seen thousands of people who use prescription or illegal drugs, then drive. Some of them are high on a combination of things.

"We find people who are using stuff off the shelf, the huffers, the recreational drug users who take something for a feeling, illegal drugs, the underground drugs, the heroin and meth," says Crandall. "When you ask what we're encountering, I always say, 'What can you imagine?' It can be anything."

Crandall and others with the WSP are training to enforce new provisions that come with Washington's marijuana law.

"We've had decades of studies and experience with alcohol," says Dan Coon, a WSP spokesman. "Marijuana is new, so it's going to take some time to figure out how the courts and prosecutors are going to handle it. But the key is impairment: We will arrest drivers who drive impaired, whether it be drugs or alcohol."

Statistics gathered for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that in 2009, one third of fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs in their blood.

Crandall says pot can cause dizziness and slowed reaction time, and drivers are more likely to drift and swerve while they're high.

Unlike portable breath tests for alcohol, there's no road-side test to determine whether someone is impaired from marijuana use.

The ingredient in cannabis that is most frequently detected in blood tests from impaired drivers is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Peak THC concentrations are reached during the act of smoking, and within three hours, they generally fall to less than 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood. That is roughly the same as a .08 limit for alcohol.

According to Washington law, blood tests above 5 nanograms would automatically subject the driver to a DUI conviction.

Under the new Washington law, a pot smoker would cross the limit after two or three hits from a joint, and remain too high to drive for a couple of hours.

Critics say the science around pot-impaired driving is not settled and the National Institute on Drug Abuse says more research is needed to understand pot's impact on driving.

You might also like:

Marijuana Q&A with Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes
King County dropping misdemeanor marijuana possession cases

By LINDA THOMAS

AP contributed to this report

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (44)


  • Add A Comment

  • HLC wrote...
    Sorry ten4doper.
    November 16, 2012 11:24 am
    Sorry that you need a banned drug to live what you think is a life. When I used to drink I was able to go to work with a hangover. Are you saying if you smoke a joint you wouldn't be able to go to work. You would have to have a job first which I doubt would be the case.
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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    LOL, banned drug
    November 16, 2012 12:23 pm
    I have a life. I have a wife, son, a great extended family and friends. I feel very fortunate. While enjoying myself I some times drink, I some times smoke. I do neither before driving or going to work. I can understand some people don't understand MY approach to MY life. I feel sorry for those without the ability to expand their viewpoints beyond their own personal experiences. I feel sorry for you. You need to check your reasoning fella. I didn't say anything about me smoking or not going to work, I asked you a simple question. Get a little perspective. I am sure your boss loves you going to work hungover. As someone with a graduate degree and currently working in a position managing managers, I would reprimand your butt on the spot if you worked for me and came to work hungover. You probably have no problem wasting company money or company time if you think it's acceptable to go to work hung. Again, I feel sorry for you.
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  • marcelsees wrote...
    Headline: Deceptive Journalism!
    November 16, 2012 11:31 am
    Sorry Linda, but I hold you to a higher standard than the hacks you work with. Whats the deal with the blatantly untruthful headline!? "Marijuana is the Top Drug Used by Drivers the WSP Pull Over". Then we're informed by the text that alcohol is the most used drug by drivers pulled over by the WSP. What's up with the lie?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • marcelsees wrote...
    Hey, AJ ...
    November 16, 2012 11:38 am
    Let's do away with democracy then, and hire you as despot. You were clearly born to the job!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cougsfan34 wrote...
    Please..
    November 16, 2012 11:43 am
    Look, if the biggest problem you have with this article is the fact the headline and the body dont match. You need to shut up and improve your life through modern chemistry. The issue you should take concern with is their are WSP officers who believe they can tell what drug you are on through simple tests that are frankly unscientific at best. The blood test is the only one that will determine what you are using...and that will require your consent. IF you get pulled over, don't say anything.
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  • marcelsees wrote...
    AJ: Your First Post on this Queue ...
    November 16, 2012 12:42 pm
    " Just goes to show the democratic way cuts off it's nose ..." I pity your opposition in 2014. You have the 'right stuff' to be a very 'special' despot. But, maybe you should get a little despot experience in a place like Surinam first. What do ya think?
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  • HLC wrote...
    Well ten4doperbuddy
    November 16, 2012 1:03 pm
    All the things you claimed to have in your life don't go hand and hand with doing drugs so are lieing about either what you have in your life or doing drugs. It's one or the other. As for me getting fired you have to assume I have a boss. You know what happens when you assume? You'll have better luck when you get off the dope.
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  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    lol
    November 17, 2012 6:21 am
    Talk about assumptions. You assume everyone fits into your neat little category of boxes. Smoke weed. Check. That must mean you cant have relationships, hold a job, or be anything productive to society. Check. I'm sorry, didn't realize you're self employed. I bet your clients are really impressed when you work for them hung over... You realize that is worse, right? You are a the type of SMB owner that I avoid. I don't need to lie on an Internet comment board, what would be the point, guy?! Deceptive much?
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  • Sean wrote...
    Let's put a bunch of those jail cells
    November 16, 2012 2:31 pm
    that AREN'T now needed, for pot possession crimes, to good use for people who drive under the influence of ANYTHING! I'm GD TIRED of people thinking they can drink, snort, shoot, whatever and go out on the roads impaired, risking innocent lives -- you, your mom, dad, kids, brothers, sisters. Legalize pot? Fine, and I voted for it. But I have NO tolerance for the arrogant imbibers of ANY drug who think they're still entitled to get out on the roads under the influence.
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  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Amen, Sean
    November 16, 2012 3:18 pm
    Empty out the jail cells from possession so they can load 'em up with DUI. I like it.

    Driving is a privilege, not a right. When you drive, you WILLINGLY consent to following the laws pertaining to driving or risk the consequences.

    Drive hammered. Get nailed.

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  • knowa wrote...
    Marc Emery
    November 16, 2012 2:37 pm
    Please sign the White House petition to let Marc Emery complete his sentence in Canada http://wh.gov/XXp9
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    "Critics say the science around pot-impaired driving is not settled and the National Institute on Drug Abuse says more research is needed..."
    November 16, 2012 3:59 pm
    Ahh, a jobs program waiting to get started and funded with my money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    The NIDA has had over 40 years to study pot drivers
    November 16, 2012 4:03 pm
    What have they been doing with my tax money?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    Theyve
    November 17, 2012 6:23 am
    been too busy running poorly planned studies that don't return anything that can be considered clinically significant.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    I don't care WHAT you are on if you drive impaired
    November 18, 2012 1:28 am
    you will be arrested.I have seen old ladies on cold medication sporting a D.U.I.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    You don't even have to be ON anything to be impaired.
    November 18, 2012 10:59 am
    Falling asleep at the wheel will no longer get you an escort to Starbucks. You can and likely will be arrested if you are to tired to drive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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