AAA Safety Foundation Finds No Scientific Basis That THC In Blood Impairs Driving - Cannabis Laws & Cannabis Legislation - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

shaggyballs · 08-31-2016, 05:50 PM

No scientific basis exists to legitimize current THC testing in place in five states who base their impaired driving standards on THC levels in blood. According to a study from auto club giant AAA’s safety foundation, a blood test threshold for THC - the chemical component of cannabis that makes people ‘high’ - is simply not scientifically possible.

Yet, in five of six states where cannabis is legal, the tests are used to determine whether or not drivers should be considered impaired. Those tests employ a blood level-based judgment similar to that used for determining alcohol impairment. But AAA found such tests for THC are wholly unreliable - sending potentially unimpaired drivers to jail and putting impaired drivers back behind the wheel.

“There is understandably a strong desire by both lawmakers and the public to create legal limits for marijuana impairment in the same manner we do alcohol,” said AAA president and CEO, Marshall Doney, as reported by the Associated Press. “In the case of marijuana this approach is flawed and not supported by scientific research.”

After discovering the tests had no value, the safety foundation recommended Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington simply ditch their THC impairment testing laws - and that other states considering similar laws abandon the proposed legislation.

As the study notes, determining actual impairment from THC consumption is quite different than for alcohol. Tolerance for the chemical would mean though a regular cannabis user might have high blood levels of THC, they are perfectly safe behind the wheel - while a relatively low THC blood level could be found in someone unfit to drive.

Instead of what amounts to arbitrary blood testing, AAA recommends specialized law enforcement officers who would better observe behavior as a determination of impairment, which would then be backed up by THC blood testing.

As the AP noted, nine states - even some with legalized medicinal cannabis - currently have zero-tolerance policies in place for THC-impaired driving. Those states’ laws include not only blood testing for THC, but also for its metabolites which can persist in blood long after the last use of cannabis.

Obviously, explained New York University professor and specialist in drug issues and criminal policy, Mark A. R. Kleiman, such laws make no sense.

“A law against driving with THC in your bloodstream is not a law you can know you are obeying except by never smoking marijuana or never driving,” he explained. Kleiman, however, disagrees with AAA’s recommendation to adjust current laws, and instead feels such offenses should by traffic violations.

According to Kleiman, compared to other potentially dangerous impairments, cannabis is likely the least offensive on the list. While some studies showed roughly double the risk of accidents caused by cannabis impairment, nationally-legal hands-free cellphone usage quadruples the crash risk - and blood alcohol content of .12 increases accident risk 15-fold.

A “noisy child in the back of the car” presents the same increased dangers as driving under the influence of cannabis, Kleiman said - noting an exception would be use of both cannabis and alcohol together, which would greatly increase impairment.

Clearly, ineffectual and illegitimate laws that senselessly send people to jail need to be abandoned with a quickness - and the AAA safety foundation’s findings on THC blood impairment testing would be a fantastic place to start.

shaggyballs · 12-02-2016, 08:54 PM

Anyone?

armedoldhippy · 12-03-2016, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggyballs

Anyone?

i agree, but fear you are preaching to the choir. i DO, however, have a spare "Amen" handy for the occasion.

mowood3479 · 12-03-2016, 11:13 PM

That's cool that someone bothered to study what any regular smoker knows... I'm sure it will be promptly buried as the govt seeks to up revenue from cannabis dui's.
At least that's my grumpy pessimistic take

armedoldhippy · 12-04-2016, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowood3479

That's cool that someone bothered to study what any regular smoker knows... I'm sure it will be promptly buried as the govt seeks to up revenue from cannabis dui's.
At least that's my grumpy pessimistic take

yup. gotta keep those jail cells at least 90% full per their contract or "POOF" goes the private prison industry. they will keep their boots on our necks one way or the other for as LONG AS WE LET THEM.

Gry · 12-05-2016, 02:36 AM

Morality shredding for tomorrow. Quarter at a time.

FireIn.TheSky · 12-05-2016, 02:53 AM

It's just a new way for them to fuck you up the ass, fine you piles of money and ruin your life. You got legal weed and you asked for regulation the same as alcohol. Now they will spank your ass like they caught drinking a beer behind the wheel.

There has been a lot of talk lately about a marijuana breathalyzer.

40AmpstoFreedom · 12-05-2016, 06:48 PM

16 years of stoned driving here...0 accidents that were my fault. Had someone blow a red light when I was a kid and I couldn't see around a 20 yard dumpster on the right to catch her so that was my only accident. It affects my driving about as much as fuckin coffee does with similar strength high and health 'risks' attached to it. Typical nanny state government bullshit.

brown_thumb · 12-05-2016, 08:05 PM

What is wrong with this forum??? First a duplicate hiccup then both posts edited???

Let's try again...

I know a guy who drives drunk and stoned. He can drive 'okay' if he drinks a 'little'. He can drive 'okay' if moderately stoned. But he can't drive worth a damn if he's been drinking AND is stoned. He also messes with his phone while he drives. Yes... a real MORON!!

AND...now my next post keeps following THIS EDIT???????????????

brown_thumb · 12-05-2016, 08:05 PM

What is wrong with this forum??? First a duplicate hiccup then both posts edited???

Let's try again...

I know a guy who drives drunk and stoned. He can drive 'okay' if he drinks a 'little'. He can drive 'okay' if moderately stoned. But he can't drive worth a damn if he's been drinking AND is stoned. He also messes with his phone while he drives. Yes... a real MORON!!

AND...now my next post keeps following THIS EDIT???????????????

soil margin · 12-05-2016, 10:00 PM

Honestly if a cop had to watch 10 stoned drivers and 10 sober drivers for an hour, I guarantee he would say the stoned drivers were safer. Sober drivers are always careless/reckless/speeding/ignoring traffic laws. People don't drive like that when they get real stoned. They usually slow down and drive extra careful.

08-31-2016, 05:50 PM	#1
shaggyballs Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hold your hand up...right about there! Posts: 1,975	AAA Safety Foundation Finds No Scientific Basis That THC In Blood Impairs Driving No scientific basis exists to legitimize current THC testing in place in five states who base their impaired driving standards on THC levels in blood. According to a study from auto club giant AAA’s safety foundation, a blood test threshold for THC - the chemical component of cannabis that makes people ‘high’ - is simply not scientifically possible. Yet, in five of six states where cannabis is legal, the tests are used to determine whether or not drivers should be considered impaired. Those tests employ a blood level-based judgment similar to that used for determining alcohol impairment. But AAA found such tests for THC are wholly unreliable - sending potentially unimpaired drivers to jail and putting impaired drivers back behind the wheel. “There is understandably a strong desire by both lawmakers and the public to create legal limits for marijuana impairment in the same manner we do alcohol,” said AAA president and CEO, Marshall Doney, as reported by the Associated Press. “In the case of marijuana this approach is flawed and not supported by scientific research.” After discovering the tests had no value, the safety foundation recommended Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington simply ditch their THC impairment testing laws - and that other states considering similar laws abandon the proposed legislation. As the study notes, determining actual impairment from THC consumption is quite different than for alcohol. Tolerance for the chemical would mean though a regular cannabis user might have high blood levels of THC, they are perfectly safe behind the wheel - while a relatively low THC blood level could be found in someone unfit to drive. Instead of what amounts to arbitrary blood testing, AAA recommends specialized law enforcement officers who would better observe behavior as a determination of impairment, which would then be backed up by THC blood testing. As the AP noted, nine states - even some with legalized medicinal cannabis - currently have zero-tolerance policies in place for THC-impaired driving. Those states’ laws include not only blood testing for THC, but also for its metabolites which can persist in blood long after the last use of cannabis. Obviously, explained New York University professor and specialist in drug issues and criminal policy, Mark A. R. Kleiman, such laws make no sense. “A law against driving with THC in your bloodstream is not a law you can know you are obeying except by never smoking marijuana or never driving,” he explained. Kleiman, however, disagrees with AAA’s recommendation to adjust current laws, and instead feels such offenses should by traffic violations. According to Kleiman, compared to other potentially dangerous impairments, cannabis is likely the least offensive on the list. While some studies showed roughly double the risk of accidents caused by cannabis impairment, nationally-legal hands-free cellphone usage quadruples the crash risk - and blood alcohol content of .12 increases accident risk 15-fold. A “noisy child in the back of the car” presents the same increased dangers as driving under the influence of cannabis, Kleiman said - noting an exception would be use of both cannabis and alcohol together, which would greatly increase impairment. Clearly, ineffectual and illegitimate laws that senselessly send people to jail need to be abandoned with a quickness - and the AAA safety foundation’s findings on THC blood impairment testing would be a fantastic place to start. __________________ Vote no to legalize cannabis or else! HydroBuddy Nute calculator Ins and outs of Pythium OVERGROW FAQ SEEDPAC Politically Active Cannabis Fighting for Michigan's Medical Marihuana Patients and Caregivers rights I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
	Quote 3 members found this post helpful.

12-02-2016, 08:54 PM	#2
shaggyballs Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Hold your hand up...right about there! Posts: 1,975	Anyone? __________________ Vote no to legalize cannabis or else! HydroBuddy Nute calculator Ins and outs of Pythium OVERGROW FAQ SEEDPAC Politically Active Cannabis Fighting for Michigan's Medical Marihuana Patients and Caregivers rights I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.
	Quote

12-03-2016, 11:13 PM	#4
mowood3479 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: lima, peru Posts: 1,288	That's cool that someone bothered to study what any regular smoker knows... I'm sure it will be promptly buried as the govt seeks to up revenue from cannabis dui's. At least that's my grumpy pessimistic take
	Quote 4 members found this post helpful.

12-05-2016, 02:36 AM	#6
Gry More hash tea... Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: land of hummingbirds and turtles Posts: 1,818	Morality shredding for tomorrow. Quarter at a time. __________________ That which matters most
	Quote

12-05-2016, 06:48 PM	#8
40AmpstoFreedom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,291	16 years of stoned driving here...0 accidents that were my fault. Had someone blow a red light when I was a kid and I couldn't see around a 20 yard dumpster on the right to catch her so that was my only accident. It affects my driving about as much as fuckin coffee does with similar strength high and health 'risks' attached to it. Typical nanny state government bullshit. __________________ Below is a link to all of my grow reviews...there are a bunch so get off the clones, dive in, and find some new genetics to appreciate! Click here for a link to all of my grows
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-05-2016, 02:53 AM	#7
FireIn.TheSky Banned Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,252	It's just a new way for them to fuck you up the ass, fine you piles of money and ruin your life. You got legal weed and you asked for regulation the same as alcohol. Now they will spank your ass like they caught drinking a beer behind the wheel. There has been a lot of talk lately about a marijuana breathalyzer.
	Quote

12-05-2016, 08:05 PM	#9
brown_thumb Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 2,094	What is wrong with this forum??? First a duplicate hiccup then both posts edited??? Let's try again... I know a guy who drives drunk and stoned. He can drive 'okay' if he drinks a 'little'. He can drive 'okay' if moderately stoned. But he can't drive worth a damn if he's been drinking AND is stoned. He also messes with his phone while he drives. Yes... a real MORON!! AND...now my next post keeps following THIS EDIT??????????????? Last edited by brown_thumb; 12-06-2016 at 01:03 AM..
	Quote 4 members found this post helpful.

12-05-2016, 10:00 PM	#11
soil margin Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sunshine and Lollipops Posts: 808	Honestly if a cop had to watch 10 stoned drivers and 10 sober drivers for an hour, I guarantee he would say the stoned drivers were safer. Sober drivers are always careless/reckless/speeding/ignoring traffic laws. People don't drive like that when they get real stoned. They usually slow down and drive extra careful.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.