Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Elko — Law officials currently deal with marijuana use on a regular basis. When the drug becomes legal on Jan. 1 the path to processing cases where people are charged with being under the influence of marijuana is unclear.
According to Police Chief Ben Reed, it will be difficult to prove whether a person can drive a car properly based solely on their use of the drug.
"The difference with alcohol is that the federal government mandated DUI standards at .08 (percent blood alcohol content) throughout the United States," said Reed. "There is no definitive standard with drugs."
He noted that law enforcement would continue to rely on observations made in the field while conducting sobriety tests. These include hand-eye coordination, balance, and measuring other motor skills.
He said it would be convenient if there was a field-testing device, and acknowledged research being done on one that could analyze a person's breath for marijuana.
Currently, suspects arrested for driving under the influence are required to give blood and urine samples when they are booked into jail. The new law does not list any quantity limits on THC in the blood system.
Overall, Reed believes the legalization of marijuana will increase law enforcement's workload and the legalization of the drug sets a bad example for youth.
"Ultimately, this will make our job harder," Reed said. "Officers will see an increase in bad behavior. I am also worried that the message to young people from society is that marijuana is O.K. There's a lot to this. It's complex."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: How Will The Law Prove Marijuana DUI Cases?
Author: Cynthia Delaney
Contact: 775-738-3118
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Elko Daily Free Press
According to Police Chief Ben Reed, it will be difficult to prove whether a person can drive a car properly based solely on their use of the drug.
"The difference with alcohol is that the federal government mandated DUI standards at .08 (percent blood alcohol content) throughout the United States," said Reed. "There is no definitive standard with drugs."
He noted that law enforcement would continue to rely on observations made in the field while conducting sobriety tests. These include hand-eye coordination, balance, and measuring other motor skills.
He said it would be convenient if there was a field-testing device, and acknowledged research being done on one that could analyze a person's breath for marijuana.
Currently, suspects arrested for driving under the influence are required to give blood and urine samples when they are booked into jail. The new law does not list any quantity limits on THC in the blood system.
Overall, Reed believes the legalization of marijuana will increase law enforcement's workload and the legalization of the drug sets a bad example for youth.
"Ultimately, this will make our job harder," Reed said. "Officers will see an increase in bad behavior. I am also worried that the message to young people from society is that marijuana is O.K. There's a lot to this. It's complex."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: How Will The Law Prove Marijuana DUI Cases?
Author: Cynthia Delaney
Contact: 775-738-3118
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Elko Daily Free Press
