A bill that would set THC limits for Colorado drivers is going down to a final, last minute vote. The proposed bill, which has been defeated in past sessions, would make driving with more than 5 nongrams of THC per millileter of a person’s blood a crime, much like driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above.
THC is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and gives users the “high” they seek when ingesting the drug.
The bill’s sponsor, Steve King (R-Mesa), as been an ardent supporter of THC limits and notes that fatal accidents involving marijuana have risen by more than 50 percent since marijuana has been legalized. Meanwhile, opponents of the bill believe that the 5 nanogram limit is not a proper (or accurate) measure of impairment, since marijuana is metabolized differently than alcohol.
Also, users may be affected differently depending on how often they use (or medicate) and that there is no accurate roadside test that could accurately measure the level of THC in a person’s blood. Suffice it to say, lawmakers do not have enough information to make a decision on the issue.
Meanwhile, Governor John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) has taken to Twitter to plead with lawmakers to support the THC standard. It appears that the Colorado House has obliged him, as it voted to continue debating the issue.
Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to work on rules affecting other aspect of marijuana use and sales. The House approved a 25 percent rate, but the Senate was contemplating a rate that included a 15 percent tax for school construction and a 10 percent sales tax just for cannibus alone.
Source: Denver.CBSlocal.com, Colorado Senators oppose stoned driving limits, May 6, 2013