Why do so few people receive driving under the influence violations (DUIs) for marijuana? Statistics show how many people are smoking and using marijuana these days. In 14 states, including the District of Columbia, weed is legal for "medical" purposes. The entire idea of marijuana's medicinal value is subject for another article.
Today we want to discuss the epidemic of using marijuana and operating a motor vehicle.
As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I can tell you there are a lot of people out there who smoke pot and drive.
This article will address the problem of smoking marijuana or using other cannabis products and operating a motor vehicle. We will use statistics generated from my years as a counselor, teacher and addict as well as real-life stories from my students. I can almost guaranty you that some of the material is bound to both amuse and shock you!
Do You know anyone who uses marijuana and drives? If so, do they ever have any reservations that they are too stoned to drive? If my last drug class was any example about 90% of us know someone who uses marijuana and drives - on a regular basis. Granted, all of the students attending had suffered a drug-related offense. Nevertheless, 90% is an extremely high number.
Why do potheads have no qualms about driving? Almost universally among marijuana users that cannabis does not mess with your hand-eye coordination like alcohol. What kind of log is that? Just because it does not affect you as strongly in one area as a "legal" drug, does not justify its use nor its acceptability when it comes to getting behind the wheel.
Marijuana is often referred to as "dope" for a reason. It slows down reaction time incredible. Anyone who has ever used marijuana knows what I am talking about. Many people prefer to fill their bellies and sleep on the couch after using marijuana.
However, there is a large contingency of people out there using marijuana on a daily basis. They smoke and they drive. There is never a concern that they are too stoned too drive. How can that possibly be?
Following is a true story from one of my students.
Erik's Story
Erik is a 65-year-old part-time construction worker. He was attending my class after being busted for buying marijuana from a high school student.
This could have happened any time for the past 30 years. You see, Erik is a total pothead. He has been smoking marijuana almost every day since he was 30. Erik admits that neither he nor his friends ever worry about getting nailed for a DUI. They rarely drink, so why worry.
How can they be so cocksure? After our classroom discussion I took a poll of Erik and his classmates to see how they felt about the situation. An amazing 100% admitted they would worry more about getting busted for buying marijuana than for a DUI after using it!
While that may be shocking the reality is really terrifying. There are thousands, if not millions out there on the road stoned to the bone. It is not OK to drive while under the influence of any drug - marijuana included.
If you or someone you love has a problem with marijuana, please seek help ASAP. If you prefer to maintain anonymity, there are online drug classes too.
Mike Miller is the Education Director at Online Alcohol Class, a website specializing in alcohol drug classes, drug classes and minor in possession class. You can visit his site at http://onlinealcoholclass.com.