6 Signs of Marijuana Impairment in Drivers
September 21, 2017
Marijuana is the second most popular recreational drug in the United States, right behind alcohol. The effects and impairment of marijuana depend largely on several factors, including such things as frequency of use, biological makeup, amount ingested, and THC concentration of the botanical. But, what we’ll focus on in this blog segment are the different signs of impairment that occur when someone takes cannabis and drives, because that is what the police are looking for and what will get you put in jail.
First and foremost, consuming any amount of marijuana and then driving immediately afterwards is illegal. Those suspected of driving high in Colorado will be given an optional (if you opt out, you could lose your driving privileges for up to a year) roadside sobriety test, tested for TCH in their system, and could face fines and fees of more than $13,500, in addition to possible jail time.
Six Signs Police Look for to Determine Suspicion of Marijuana Impairment in Drivers

6 Signs of Marijuana Impairment in Drivers | Westminster DUI Attorney
Marijuana is not as easy to detect as alcohol when trying to determine if a driver is impaired and under the influence of drugs (DUID). In states where cannabis is legal for either recreational, medical, or both, most law enforcement (LE) agencies put their officers through Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training, which teaches them how to detect and detain those believed to be under the influence of drugs. The following are signs LE looks for when trying to determine if there is reliable suspicion to search and charge a driver with a DUID:
- Red eyes, odor of cannabis, or paraphernalia found inside the vehicle
- Delayed or decreased reaction time
- Decreased short-term memory
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Lack of concentration
- Decreased perception of time and distance
Facts and Figures About Driving High in Denver
The following facts and figures about driving high on marijuana are provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT):
- Cannabis (i.e. marijuana) has measurable physiological effects that impair drivers and put them at risk of getting a DUID. In Colorado, the law has established that five nanograms of active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the blood is the legal limit threshold used to charge and convict impaired drivers.
- It is illegal to use marijuana anywhere in public, which includes inside of your vehicle.
- Any cannabis product must be in a sealed container and away from the driver area.
- Driving high on marijuana is a prosecutable offense, regardless of whether you have a prescription for it or not.
- Drivers found to be under the influence of marijuana face additional charges, if there are children onboard the vehicle.
Contact a Westminster DUI Attorney at the Griffin Law Firm
Getting charged or arrested for a DUID is no laughing matter. Not only could you end up paying more than $13,000 in fines and costs, but you could lose your job, destroy your marriage, and have to spend time in jail. If you were charged with a DUID, call the Westminster DUI Attorney at Griffin Law Firm right away for experienced and aggressive representation.
We believe all accused defendants are innocent until proven guilty, and we will fight hard to get you the best outcome possible. We also understand it is a challenging and emotional time right after being charged and arrested for a DUID, and then having to face a possible court trial and jail time. But, the sooner we can build a strong defense case, the better chance our Westminster DUI attorney has at reducing the charges brought against you, if not getting them dismissed outright.
To schedule a free, no obligation consultation, call (303) 963-9297 or email us using the contact form on this page.
The accused are innocent until proven guilty and we believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly.
Christopher Griffin
It is our goal to ensure that every person charged with a crime is given the experienced and caring representation they deserve.
Christopher Griffin