California’s Recreational Marijuana Law Creates Confusion in Enforcement of DUI Laws

Marijuana has created a confusing legal vortex for the enforcement of impaired driving laws. In contrast to alcohol, there is no set blood level at which a driver is legally impaired by marijuana. California’s new recreational marijuana law also makes it more difficult for an officer to determine whether a driver has exceeded the allowable limit of marijuana for personal use. Finally, federal law makes the transportation of any amount of marijuana a federal crime. While the Department of Justice has not, historically, expended funds for the prosecution of defendants who were following state law, this is a policy choice which is subject to change with each new administration. 

The Preliminary Determinations in a DUI Investigation

Before determining if a driver is impaired, law enforcement officers must first determine whether the driver has a legal right to possess or consume marijuana at all. Prior to November 9, 2016, California drivers could only do so by the possession of a valid medical marijuana card. Now – with the legalization of recreational marijuana – any person in California may possess up to one ounce of marijuana or six plants. An officer who pulls over a California driver on suspicion of DUI must therefore first determine: (a) if there is marijuana in the vehicle, and (b) whether it exceeds the legal limit.

While Californians may have a right to possess marijuana, it is still illegal to drive with an open container of marijuana in the vehicle. According to the Sacramento Bee, this applies to any receptacles or marijuana products that are open, have previously been opened, or have a broken seal.

The Unclear Science of Marijuana Impairment

Once an officer clarifies the preliminary matters of possession, he or she must determine whether the driver has actually been impaired by marijuana use. This is an inexact process, because unlike alcohol, there is no scientific standard by which impairment can be definitely established for marijuana. The blood alcohol level of .08 has been correlated with the impairment of driving abilities, and this finding has been corroborated over decades of research data. No such level has been identified for marijuana.

In the absence of expanded funding and research for marijuana impairment, it falls to individual officers to determine whether a driver is impaired based upon simple observation. Cars.com reports on the findings of a safety panel assembled by the Governors Highway Safety Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among other recommendations, this panel of thirty-seven experts advocated for detailed observations and notes from officers on the scene. They also recommended a field sobriety test for marijuana, to allow an officer to support his or her objective observations with subjective test results.

Of course, law enforcement officers are not the only people who can benefit from learning the signs of impairment. The panel recommended education for prosecutors, judges, and the public at large. Such training will enhance the efficacy of DUI prosecutions, and my increasing public awareness, reduce the number of prosecutions that become necessary.

Because there are not yet clear laws about driving while under the influence of marijuana, defendants can face serious penalties without scientific proof of impairment.

The Los Angeles Cannabis Law Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Pot Panel Recommends Highway Safety Measures, June 27, 2017, by Kelsey Mays, Cars.com

More Blog Entries:

Why Marijuana Sobriety Tests are So Unreliable, December 12, 2016, by Cannabis Law Group