My shocked face...
Is around here somewhere...
A growing number of marijuana users are driving while high — and it’s costing them their lives.
More than 40% of victims of fatal vehicle accidents over the past six years have had elevated levels of THC in their blood, a new study shows. The drug screenings were performed during the autopsy process.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, is what causes the “high” feeling of euphoria that is associated with using the drug.
The Wright State University-led study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, reviewed data for 246 deceased Ohio drivers.
The researchers found that nearly 42% tested positive for THC, with an average blood level of 30.7 ng/ML, according to a press release.
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
We’ve known this for...at least 30 years, probably longer...
But everybody wants to ignore it, since ‘legalization’ is a thing...
And there is no way for the LEOs to test for cannabinoids on a traffic stop. So unless the driver is smoking at the time, or smells like a joint, they might get away with a ticket. Also, smokers don’t congregate at bars/joints, mostly smoking at home, so not really many ‘touch’ points for LEO to work from. And potency is up! From around 4% in the 90s to 12-15% of THC in most samples today.
So what happens when the bus driver for your kids is driving ‘high’, or the guy/girl driving the subway/metro train? Or the pilot flying the airplane?
I guess we’ll need to pile up a bunch more dead to get anyone to actually take action on this...sigh
Since THC is used as Glaucoma treatment by reducing pressure in the eye; I noticed a connection to auto accidents in which depth perception seemed to be a factor.
Also (and I never took the training) I believe an LEO trained in advanced Gazing Eye Nystagmus can detect THC impairment.
Legalization should and must remain on hold until a dependable method for testing for recent use of THC is found.
No ifs, no ands, no buts. If a police officer cannot determine whether a driver is impaired, any use of THC must remain illegal. Proof of use of THC while driving should result in removal of the license.