DUI LAWS AND MARIJUANA What to Know Going Into 2021
D id you know that DUI laws also apply to driving under the influence of marijuana? Even if you used marijuana legally, driving under the influence of marijuana is a crime regardless of the state you are located in. If you get pulled over when you are under the influence of any substance and you do poorly on the basic roadside sobriety exercises but still blow under the limit, you may be asked to provide a urine sample. Authorities collect this sample in order to try to detect a chemical or controlled substance such as marijuana. If you refuse any test, you may face serious consequences. Normally, when these tests occur, it’s difficult to prove what controlled substance may have been in your system at the time you were pulled over. In fact, marijuana can stay in the body and be detected up to 30 days after use,
so urine tests can be unreliable. This gives an experienced criminal defense attorney a strong argument that the results should not be admitted at trial. While it’s more difficult to prove driving under the influence of marijuana than alcohol, if you admit you are high to the officer, you can be arrested. As always, anything you say can and will be used against you. If you’re pulled over by the police and you have a joint or pipe that is actively being used in the vehicle, that’s a strong indication to the officer that you could be under the influence of marijuana.
Penalties of a Marijuana DUI •
License suspension of 180 days to a year Fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 Up to a year jail (if this is not a first-time offense)
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Substance abuse treatment
Term of probation
What Police Look For •
The Marijuana Breathalyzer In 2019, Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh developed a device to help law enforcement accurately detect if a driver is under the influence of marijuana. The device is capable of measuring THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, through a user’s breath. The device isn’t widely used just yet, but it may be in the near future.
Erratic driving or weaving
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Slurred speech
The odor of marijuana in the car
Glassy or bloodshot eyes
Slow motor skills
Impaired cognitive function
Driving too slowly
MEME CORNER
Cooking With Ashley
EASY ONE-POT LENTIL SOUP
Directions
Ingredients
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and sauté garlic, shallots, carrots, and celery for 4–5 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. 2. Add potatoes to pot, along with more salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes. 3. Add vegetable broth and herbs, then bring soup to a simmer. 4. Add lentils, stirring until soup returns to a simmer. Then, turn the heat to low and cook soup uncovered for 15–20 minutes. 5. Finally, add kale and additional salt and pepper as needed. Cook for 3–4 minutes, thin soup with additional vegetable broth as needed, and serve!
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2 tbsp coconut oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, diced
4 large carrots, sliced thin 4 stalks celery, sliced thin
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
3 cups red potatoes, cubed
4 cups vegetable broth
2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped 1 cup uncooked green lentils, rinsed and drained
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2 cups chopped kale
Inspired by MinimalistBaker.com
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