Legislation to impose ‘per se’ criminal penalties to individuals who drive a motor vehicle with trace levels (5ng/ml or higher) of THC in their blood — regardless of whether he/she is behaviorally impaired, has died in committee this legislative session.
NORML opposes the imposition of this type of per se traffic safety legislation for cannabinoids because the presence of these compounds in blood are inappropriate and inconsistent indicators of psychomotor impairment. No less than the United States Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) agrees, stating, “It is difficult to establish a relationship between a person’s THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects. … It is inadvisable to try and predict effects based on blood THC concentrations alone.”
Moreover, scientific studies find that THC may be present in blood for periods exceeding well over 24 hours in some users — long after any period of impairment has worn off.
We would like to thank those of you who contacted your lawmakers and urged them to reject this measure.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
