Marijuana and Driving in Massachusetts:
- Driving while high on marijuana is illegal and you could get an OUI
- There is no conclusive test for measuring THC impairment.
- Police officers use observational skills, field sobriety tests, and drug recognition to prosecute civilians.
- Breathalyzers that detect THC impairment are under development.
- After alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often linked to drugged driving.
How Marijuana Affects Driving:
- Marijuana use slows your reaction time and ability to make decisions.
- Marijuana use can impair coordination, distort perception, hurt problem solving, and cause memory loss.
- All of these impairments make it unsafe to drive while under the influence of marijuana.
- Studies have shown an association between marijuana use and car crashes.
Strategies to Prevent Impaired Driving:
- Choose a responsible designated driver.
- Organize carpools.
- Find alternate transportation: Mass transit, taxi, Lyft or Uber.
- Educate yourself on the risk of driving impaired.
- Stay where you are.
- Collect car keys.