As the Attorney General in Virginia is calling for the state to decriminalize marijuana, a recent AAA study found that 14.8 million Americans get behind the wheel after smoking marijuana. Additionally, almost 70 percent of them think they will not get pulled over while they are high.
“It is so important not to get behind the wheel shortly after using marijuana,” says Thomas Soldan, Attorney at Law. “Not only is it dangerous, but despite what people think, there is a good chance of getting pulled over and facing charges. The best way to avoid arrest is to not engage in the behavior at all.”
According to the AAA findings, millennials are more likely to get behind the wheel after using marijuana. According to the survey, 14 percent of millennials stated they have driven while high. Being a younger generation, perhaps these individuals engage in the activity due to the fact that they often feel invincible. Unfortunately, no one is protected against the dangers of driving while high, or from being arrested if they are caught.
So, how long was considered ‘shortly after consuming marijuana’ in the study? Most participants said they have gotten behind the wheel one hour after using marijuana, while others stated they waited only half an hour.
Studies have not been conclusive on exactly how long you should wait to drive after using marijuana. The recommendations are currently two hours after one hit, and as long as four hours. Individuals are also reminded that the effects of cannabis can be felt as long as 24 hours after consumption, depending on how much was consumed.
The risks of driving while high are similar to those of driving drunk. A driver’s reaction time is slowed, it is more difficult to focus on the road, and they are likely to weave in and out of lanes.
Of course, not everyone charged is guilty. Those that have been accused of driving while high should speak to a criminal defense attorney who can help get their charges reduced, or dropped altogether.
