Marijuana DUI Laws in Washington State

Read about the laws regarding driving under the influence of marijuana.

Alcohol-related DUIs are the most common in Washington State, but an increasing number of people are being arrested while driving under the influence of marijuana. There has always been a law prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of any drug, including marijuana, but the law has been clarified and enforced more stringently ever since recreational marijuana use was legalized in Washington State in 2012.

The first step you can take to avoid marijuana DUI arrests is to obey traffic laws and avoid speeding. If you get pulled over or get into an accident, you are more likely to get arrested for a DUI because you will come into contact with law enforcement. It isn’t always obvious when someone is under the influence of marijuana, however. You can’t smell the cannabis, unless the person just got done smoking it. Nevertheless, law enforcement is trained to identify the signs of marijuana intoxication.

Effects of Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal in all states. Studies show that marijuana use can affect decision-making, decrease peripheral vision, and hinder the ability to multitask. Unlike drivers under the influence of alcohol, drivers under the influence of marijuana are generally aware that they are impaired and avoid risky behavior. Drivers under the influence of marijuana tend to compensate by driving more slowly and allowing extra space between vehicles.

Marijuana affects inexperienced pot smokers far more than experienced pot smokers, who have built up a tolerance. Even if you feel totally fine after smoking marijuana, getting behind the wheel could get you into legal trouble if you have a high level of THC in your blood.

In 2013, a full year after recreational marijuana was legalized in Washington, there was a 25% increase in drivers testing positive for marijuana but there was no increase in car accidents or fatalities. According to Washington law, the standard of legal impairment is five nanograms (ng) of THC per milliliter of blood. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in pot.

The same criminal statute applies to marijuana DUIs as alcohol DUIs. A person who is suspected of driving under the influence of a drug is investigated differently than someone who is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, however. A police officer with training in drug recognition will be called to the scene. If the police officer determines that the driver is under the influence of drugs, the driver will likely be arrested and then taken in for a blood test.

Contact a Marijuana DUI Lawyer in Seattle

Those who are convicted of a marijuana DUI are prosecuted the same way as someone who is convicted of an alcohol DUI. To avoid the serious consequences of a marijuana DUI, contact a DUI lawyer in Seattle as soon as possible.

Baker, Lewis, Schwisow & Laws, PLLC is prepared to fight for you if you have been charged with a marijuana DUI in Washington State. Call us at 206.209.0608 or fill out our online contact form for a free case review. We will review the details of your case and explain your options and rights.