On April 18th, the Colorado legislature will make a final decision on the pending HB1261, a bill that would put severe limits on Colorado Medical Marijuana patients who drive. Having already passed State Congress, this bill is set to implement “forced blood tests” on anyone driving with a minimum of 5 nanograms/milliliter of THC in their blood. Though road and highway safety is an important concern for the state, many medical marijuana advocates argue that House Bill 1261 is a direct attack on MMJ patients and their rights.
The bill, sponsored by Democrat Claire Levy and Republican Mark Waller, is designed to test and criminalize anyone driving with the smallest amount of THC in their blood. It is being treated like an alcohol DUI, which is causing apprehension among the medical marijuana community. Metabolism is the key argument in this debate. Though marijuana and alcohol are very different, tolerance and blood levels are dependent on an individual’s height, weight, and activity level. Another point is that a person who drinks a lot of alcohol can be sober and have no trace left in their blood after a few hours. Marijuana, on the other hand, can take days or even weeks to fully leave the system. Everyone has a different tolerance level, so a patient who medicates all day, everyday can handle a much higher blood level of THC than a patient who only uses at night for insomnia. Yet, even for that patient who only medicates once a day, 5 nanograms is nearly nothing and can be found in the blood of someone who hasn’t smoked for an extended period of time.
Though enforcing laws against impairment while driving is important, aiming a law at state registered medical marijuana patients can be viewed as disregarding patient rights. There aren’t “forced blood tests” for driving under the influence of percocet or oxycontin, other pain medications that can be far more dangerous.
As the judiciary committee meeting gets closer and closer, it is important that patients contact the state and let their opinions be known. These are you’re rights, and as so, you deserve to be heard!
For more information regarding HB1261: http://coloradomedicalmarijuana.net/recent-news/latest-stories-right/colorado-hb-1261-marijuana-driving-bill , http://www.greenskyconfections.com/2011/04/hb-1261-another-anti-mmj-bill/ , http://www.denverrelief.com/blog/2011/04/14/thcdui-bill-hb-1261-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing-mon-418/
Find your Senator: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/advocacy/contact.colorado.state.legislature.html