Canada - Driving High

[trippster]

Hello Swimmers.

SWIM was out with friends on the town. He parked his car in a parking lot (restaurant/bar) and smoked up with some buddies on the previous evening. It was maybe around 7:30, when SWIM and his friends decided to go grab a bite.

Back to the car they went. Swim began to pull out of the parking lot. It was dark at this time, and the lights of an oncoming car blinded swim's vision as he pulled into the lane. He had trouble seeing the yellow line, and as a result he cut the corner too sharp and pulled into the wrong lane on the other side of the road facing an oncoming car. The problem was fixed easily (swim informed me) that there was enough time for him to get on the right side of the road.

Here's the kicker...The car SWIM pulled in front of, happened to be a cop car. A paranoid flash hit poor swim as he continued driving, looking over his shoulder. The light at the upcoming intersection was red, so stupidly, SWIM decided to make a right hand turn. As he continued slowly down the one way road, he passed the cop car which was now driving towards him on the other side of the road. He made a U turn and began to follow swim. Swim was paranoid and stupidly made another right hand turn (thus making a complete circle around the block, and making himself look like a drunk driver trying to stupidly dodge a DUI).

The cop caught up to swim, and pulled him over. The cop questioned him whether he'd been drinking (which would make sense since swim pulled out of a bar). Swim handed over his information, and told the cop he was nervous since he noticed he pulled in front of a cop car! The officer shone the light into Swim's eyes (which were "as red as the devils dick") and then let Swim and his friends go. Swim figured the cop knew that he was high (impossible not to) and just let him go..He seemed like a good guy (so my friend told me).

Swim and his pals were all very paranoid, and they had about an eighth of cannabis in the back on one of the passengers.

Swim lives in Southern Ontario. Does anyone know what COULD have happened to poor swim if the cop decided to charge him with anything? Swim knows cannabis has limited (if any) effect on driving, but knows how ridiculous the laws can be on things.

Any input on the situation is appreciated.

[Future_Narc_Officer]

Originally Posted by trippster

Hello Swimmers.

SWIM was out with friends on the town. He parked his car in a parking lot (restaurant/bar) and smoked up with some buddies on the previous evening. It was maybe around 7:30, when SWIM and his friends decided to go grab a bite.

Back to the car they went. Swim began to pull out of the parking lot. It was dark at this time, and the lights of an oncoming car blinded swim's vision as he pulled into the lane. He had trouble seeing the yellow line, and as a result he cut the corner too sharp and pulled into the wrong lane on the other side of the road facing an oncoming car. The problem was fixed easily (swim informed me) that there was enough time for him to get on the right side of the road.

Here's the kicker...The car SWIM pulled in front of, happened to be a cop car. A paranoid flash hit poor swim as he continued driving, looking over his shoulder. The light at the upcoming intersection was red, so stupidly, SWIM decided to make a right hand turn. As he continued slowly down the one way road, he passed the cop car which was now driving towards him on the other side of the road. He made a U turn and began to follow swim. Swim was paranoid and stupidly made another right hand turn (thus making a complete circle around the block, and making himself look like a drunk driver trying to stupidly dodge a DUI).

The cop caught up to swim, and pulled him over. The cop questioned him whether he'd been drinking (which would make sense since swim pulled out of a bar). Swim handed over his information, and told the cop he was nervous since he noticed he pulled in front of a cop car! The officer shone the light into Swim's eyes (which were "as red as the devils dick") and then let Swim and his friends go. Swim figured the cop knew that he was high (impossible not to) and just let him go..He seemed like a good guy (so my friend told me).

Swim and his pals were all very paranoid, and they had about an eighth of cannabis in the back on one of the passengers.

Swim lives in Southern Ontario. Does anyone know what COULD have happened to poor swim if the cop decided to charge him with anything? Swim knows cannabis has limited (if any) effect on driving, but knows how ridiculous the laws can be on things.

Any input on the situation is appreciated.

This Swimmer definitely had luck on his/her side that night.

"New legislation enacted in July [2008] gives police across Canada the power to bring drivers in for drug testing if they're suspected of impaired driving. Those who test positive face the same penalties as drunk drivers."

Source: canada.
com/topics/news/national/story.
html?id=1075515

The question is, however, when exactly did this incident occur? Before or after the legislation was enacted?

[candy_kid]

^^ I'm pretty sure that law was put on a hiatus until they could figure out how its possible to actually enforce such a thing- unless of course they then pulled it back without my knowledge? I still have no idea how you would make such a law work though considering modern marijuana testing technology...

[Future_Narc_Officer]

Originally Posted by candy_kid

^^ I'm pretty sure that law was put on a hiatus until they could figure out how its possible to actually enforce such a thing- unless of course they then pulled it back without my knowledge? I still have no idea how you would make such a law work though considering modern marijuana testing technology...

I think the problem right now is that, unlike alcohol, there is no official testing system to establish how much cannabis it takes for someone to be legally impaired. i.e. in Alberta the legal limit for alcohol is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood

From what I read in the article, at this point in time it sounds like if you test positive in any way, shape, or form you will be charged with impaired driving.

[DXMBunny]

swim doesnt believe this statement that marijuana has limited or no effect on driving... swim finds that most drugs do effect driving and motor skills... usually different for each individual... opiates for swim dont effect his ability to concentrate or drive but doesnt mean it is safe too...

any amphetamine like substance might be the only thing since that heightens awareness... but only maybe... swim has no experience with those so...

[Greenport]

While I am for the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana, I happen to be against driving under the influence of drugs. Why, you may ask? Simple. If you want to take drugs and get fucked up or expand your mind or get a burst of energy or laugh your ass off, well that's your choice but drugs change the way that our brains function, and driving is something that requires all of the senses to be fully functional.

That being said, we don't know what impact marijuana 'really' has on driving, and because of that driving on marijuana could potentially danger the lives of other drivers. Putting others' lives at risk over drug use is something I am NOT for.

From now on go get your food before you smoke, come back with it all, and toke up then munch down man. Or if that doesn't work, get a bike. SwiM's clown rides a bike when he is stoned and wants to go somewhere, and for going places like to get food it's better to stop wasting your gas anyways, and it gives you some exercise!

The last thing we need is for the issue of stoned driving impairing the ability of people to get this plant legalized.

[trippster]

Originally Posted by Greenport

While I am for the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana, I happen to be against driving under the influence of drugs. Why, you may ask? Simple. If you want to take drugs and get fucked up or expand your mind or get a burst of energy or laugh your ass off, well that's your choice but drugs change the way that our brains function, and driving is something that requires all of the senses to be fully functional.

That being said, we don't know what impact marijuana 'really' has on driving, and because of that driving on marijuana could potentially danger the lives of other drivers. Putting others' lives at risk over drug use is something I am NOT for.

From now on go get your food before you smoke, come back with it all, and toke up then munch down man. Or if that doesn't work, get a bike. SwiM's clown rides a bike when he is stoned and wants to go somewhere, and for going places like to get food it's better to stop wasting your gas anyways, and it gives you some exercise!

The last thing we need is for the issue of stoned driving impairing the ability of people to get this plant legalized.

Agreed 100%. Especially the final statement. Swim does find slower reaction time when driving high, which I guess that'd be why he drives slow. It was pretty much his first time driving high, and will not ever be doing it again... He is incredibly thankful for being so lucky and is not going to run the risk again. He knows a lot of people that drive stoned and it doesn't seem to be very impairing towards them....But clearly there are effects (possibly not as detrimental as alcohol...but effects nonetheless).

Thanks for the biking suggestion bro. That's one thing swim does not do enough of!

[cra$h]

swim hates the ideas of a d.u.i. If you're drunk, and make it home ok, then you shouldn't get locked up. If you run someone over, then you get charged for vehicular manslaughter. Common sense. If you can't handle the drug, than you shouldn't drive on it. But intoxication should not be a lawful factor.

[candy_kid]

what about the effects of tolerance? one person taking oxy whose never taken it before might be a hazard on the road, while another whose been taking it for the last two years would probably be a hazard only if they didn't take it... It'd be impossible to implement, but a per situation basis of evaluation would probably be more fair imho.

@FutureNarcOfficer - I'd read in the newspaper after reading something to the extent of what you read that the whole deal was put on hold due to a problem with enforcing such a thing-- I figured at the time that it had to do with the fact that marijuana can stay in your blood for many weeks beyond the high. I have no idea on that note if they've done anything since. I'll try to find a source and add it to this when I get some time (seems fairly relevant)

[cannabis-sam]

SWIM thinks it definatly does depend on the user and how much used after smoking a large amount of high grade green SWIM doesn't expect anyone to drive well, SWIM finds a 4-5 bongs and he's fine but he did once get absolutely fucked on some really good green and could tell his driving went way down hill his concentration was definatly effected. On the other hand as stated in another post swim thinks that because he rides a motorbike rather than a car it is only SWIMself that he is putting at risk, if swim hits some one SWIM will not cause significant harm to anybody else. SWIM also does find in smaller amounts he's a lot more aware of whats going on. checks his mirrors more pays attention to a lot more things but when at the point thoughts are racing heart beating thinking random crap etc. driving is not a good idea.

Driving a car intoxicated is probably not a good idea. SWIM would not drive anything more than his bike high as cars do a hell of a lot more damage, if SWIM can he does try to avoid driving intoxicated at all but sometimes he just can't resist smoking a few bongs with his mates.

[ATWA]

The thing with Pot and driving is that it is hard to say. Pot can effect people differently at different times. Like depending on how log it is since the last time one got high or the experience of the smoker. As well as the chemistry of the pot. So it is very complex. At times pot can enhance concentration and at others it can impair it. I mean once a friend smoked a big joint and was driving on the highway and missed his exit and did not realize it for 50 miles because he was concentrating on the road. Another time swim was driving and ran through a newspaper blowing in the wind. His friend was kidding and said that swim had hit a dog. Swim became convinced of this and was very upset. They were stoned. Other times swim has smoked pot on long road trips and it seemed to keep him from getting road fatigue. But all in all I think it is best not to drive while high as a rule when considering all factors.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Your lucky, i saw this poster in a pub in london saying if they catch you driving high they can take away your driving licence.

[Pondlife]

In the UK, the offence is "Driving while unfit through drink or drugs". On conviction, this carries a mandatory ban with a minumum period of 12 months (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

In other words, you will lose your driving license for one year.

[cannabis-sam]

It would be difficult to test if someone is intoxicated from cannabis or had smoked the night before would it not?

[Pondlife]

This is what the UK Department of Transport says about this:

5.20 The procedure for catching a drug driver is less straightforward than it is for a drink driver, because there is a simple offence of exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit for drink driving for which evidence can be obtained using a simple breath test. Drug driving cases are initially detected where impaired driving is observed by a police officer, or the officer has some other reason for suspicion. The officer must then proceed to establish grounds for suspecting that drugs may be the cause of the driving impairment. A Field Impairment Test (FIT) may be conducted – if the officer is trained to conduct one – to help him or her assess whether to arrest or not.

5.21 A driver arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired by drugs is brought to a police station, where a Forensic Medical Examiner (FME) is asked to certify whether a condition that may be caused by drink or drugs is present. A sample from the driver can only be taken for toxicological analysis if that is certified. A decision on whether or not to prosecute follows a positive result from this analysis and consideration of all the other evidence. The driver is released if the FME does not agree to certify. The police officer’s evidence in court will need to cover the nature of the impaired driving – the result of the analysis alone is not sufficient to convict a driver.