Being safe while driving is a top priority for a lot of people, and the law has consequences for those who get behind the wheel while under the influence of substances that could impair their ability to drive. Just like driving while intoxicated is a crime, so is driving while high on marijuana. There can be both legal and safety consequences to driving while impaired by marijuana in Florida.
Marijuana use impairs driving abilities
With the increased acceptance of marijuana use for medicinal purposes and even recreational purposes in some states, it might seem like smoking or ingesting cannabis and then hopping in the car for a drive isn’t a big deal. But the reality is that there are some potential consequences to driving while under the influence of marijuana. The law against intoxicated driving is backed up by scientific evidence of how a person is impaired while driving.
When a person is under the influence of marijuana, they’re more likely to have degraded motor and cognition skills, which will cause slower reaction times, impaired judgement, impaired coordination, memory problems and attention problems. All of these impairments lead to the increased likelihood of a car accident.
Driving while high on marijuana can result in criminal charges
There can be significant legal consequences to people who choose to drive while under the influence. Beyond the increased risk of getting into an accident, people who are caught driving while under the influence can be subject to criminal charges even if they’ve been prescribed medical marijuana.
Anyone using marijuana, even if it’s for medical use, should avoid driving so that they don’t increase their chances of getting into an accident or getting a criminal charge against them. If a person does get arrested by police for marijuana use, an attorney may help them understand their rights and options.