Last updated : November 11, 2024
The first raw numbers are in for the state of Colorado and DUIs due to marijuana use. While the data is illuminating, the number of citations before legalization and absolute proof of marijuana as the culprit since that time remains open to interpretation and argument. The first step is collecting. Now it’s up to us to take a look.
Marijuana legalization supporters mix interpretation with romanticism while opposition sometimes focus on fanaticism. The reality is that until commercialization started authorities could only speculate on the true impact. The new information seems to show that the public as a whole continues in their everyday life on the roads with no drastic increases in occurrences. There is, however, an increase.
A responsible assessment of the new data suggests an increase for driving under the influence due to marijuana. In addition, some of those recorded incidents did in fact end with fatal consequences. Finding ways to address the newly documented concerns is a prudent course of action. Since usage is on the rise, steps should be taken to mitigate any anticipated problems. Options include drug education programs in schools and neighborhood community centers, national Public Service Announcements (PSAs), and treatment programs for disorders associated with marijuana use. The state has already designed a website to dispel myths that some may believe about using marijuana, though in many cases it is legal.
America has been waiting to see what happened in states like Colorado. The next phase becomes what to do with this information for the interest of the public. Developing positions and policies in a fair process to document and follow trends revealed by the data seems to be a logical next step.
There might be criteria for taking that step such as:
- Authorized medicinal usage vs. purely recreational usage
- Methods of testing used to determine intoxication
- Limits considered to be intoxicated
- Punishment for offenses and repeat offenses
- Implementation and training for law enforcement and first responders
The reason people use marijuana should not be a consideration over safety in the debate. Arguably, the safety of every driver on the road trumps the rights of individuals that drive while under the influence of any drug regardless of whether the use is recreational or medicinal. It might, however, be the same kind of mitigating factor as a person on prescription medication is treated after arrest compared to a person impaired due to alcohol use. Neither is allowed, but they may be handled differently from a legal standpoint. This data presents an opportunity to debate in a robust and constructive manner.
Being proactive is a reasonable response to dealing with the increase in DUIs for the state of Colorado. The state began this new chapter with legalization of marijuana and watching citizens make mistakes and correct them will be something the rest of the country will use to determine the fate of the drug elsewhere. Data is rolling in, but hopefully driving under the influence of marijuana (and any drug, including alcohol) rolls out much less often on America’s roads in the future.
