Does Marijuana Impact Driving?
Did you know that marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the United States, after alcohol? The widespread use of marijuana and increasing legalization may present new issues for Nevadans. Many may wonder if marijuana impacts driving. Here, we will discuss the impact of marijuana on driving and related laws.
If you or a loved one has been injured by an impaired driver in the Clark County area, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers has experienced impaired driving accident lawyers who are ready to help you. You don’t have to worry about affordability because our Las Vegas car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis – we get paid when you win your case. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. It contains the mind-altering compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other active compounds that are not mind-altering, like CBD (cannabidiol).
Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?
Marijuana can impact the brain in the short and long term. The time it takes for marijuana to impact the brain depends on how it is consumed. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the short-term effects of marijuana on the brain include the following:
- Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Altered sense of time
- Impaired body movement
- Difficulty with thinking
- Impaired memory
- Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
- Delusions (when taken in high doses)
- Psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)
Marijuana can affect the brain of a driver. If you believe you are the victim of a marijuana-impaired driver, contact our car accident lawyers who can put together the evidence to build your case. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced impaired driving accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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Does Marijuana Impact Driving?
Marijuana can negatively impact a person’s driving skills. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that marijuana can have the following impacts:
- Slow your reaction time and ability to make decisions.
- Impair coordination and distort perception.
- Amplify impairing effects when combined with other drugs and/or alcohol.
Marijuana affects driving. If you are an accident victim and suspect that the driver was under the influence of marijuana, you need an experienced lawyer. An experienced lawyer will understand the complexities of a marijuana-related car accident. It is the job of the lawyer to examine all the facts in your Las Vegas car accident case and prove that you were the victim of a driver impaired by marijuana use. Anthem Injury Lawyers offers this experience, so you have a better opportunity to obtain the compensation you deserve as a victim. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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Impaired Driving Crash Statistics
Impaired driving is extremely dangerous. The numbers surrounding marijuana and driving are still unclear. The CDC can provide the following regarding marijuana use and driving:
- Drugs other than alcohol (legal and illegal) are involved in about 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes.
- Marijuana use is increasing and 13 percent of nighttime, weekend drivers have marijuana in their system.
- Marijuana users were about 25 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers with no evidence of marijuana use. However, other factors, such as age and gender, may account for the increased crash risk among marijuana users.
Impaired Driving Study
This year the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released research on marijuana use and driving in Washington state. The study found the following:
- Five years after legalization, the proportion of fatal-crash-involved drivers who were THC-positive has remained approximately double the level observed before legalization.
- An estimated 21 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in Washington State in 2017 were THC-positive. Higher than in any other year in the 10-year period examined.
If you are the victim of an impaired driver, contact an experienced Las Vegas lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced impaired driving accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Is it Legal to Consume Marijuana and Drive in Nevada?
In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive under the influence of marijuana. You can be arrested and convicted for driving under the influence of controlled or prohibited substances. Nevada law does not differentiate penalties for marijuana-impaired driving from alcohol-impaired driving. Nevada Revised Statute 484C.110(4) provides the following:
- It is unlawful for any person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle on a highway or on premises to which the public has access with an amount of any of the following prohibited substances in his or her blood that is equal to or greater than:
- Two blood nanograms per milliliter of Marijuana (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
- Five blood nanograms per milliliter Marijuana metabolite (11-OH-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Impaired driving accidents are preventable accidents. The driver who chooses to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs is acting illegally. Impaired drivers cause serious injuries. Our lawyers aggressively seek maximum compensation for victims.
Have you been injured by an impaired driver? It is important to work with a Las Vegas lawyer who can manage all the issues involved in a complex impaired accident case. Well-meaning friends or family may tell you that you can handle your case yourself; no need to involve a lawyer. You want the best opportunity to gain compensation – let the experts at Anthem Injury Lawyers protect your rights. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
What Are Steps You Can Take to Prevent Impaired Driving?
Impaired driving is dangerous driving. There are several steps people can take to prevent impaired driving:
- Offering to be a designated driver.
- Appointing a designated driver to take all car keys.
- Getting a ride to and from parties where there are alcohol and/or drugs.
- Discussing the risks of drugged driving with friends in advance.
An impaired driver can injure others on the road. If an impaired driver injures you, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
What Do You Do if You Suspect the Driver Who Caused Your Accident Is Under the Influence?
Impaired driving awareness can save lives. Unfortunately, not all impaired drivers are stopped before they cause accidents and injuries. If you’ve been in a car accident caused by an impaired driver, you should do the following:
- Contact the authorities.
- Get medical treatment.
- Collect evidence from the scene.
- Get legal advice from a personal injury lawyer.
If you’ve been in an accident, contact the police and medical help immediately. Let the police know that you suspect the other driver was impaired. The police report and any test results can be important evidence in supporting your case.
Once you’ve received medical care, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers for assistance with handling the details of your impaired driving accident case. Our Las Vegas lawyers offer you years of experience winning impaired driving cases. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights. Our personal injury lawyers are experienced at handling all types of accident cases; including accidents involving a variety of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses and more. This includes accidents where the driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Anthem Injury Lawyers can properly manage all the issues involved in a complex car accident case. Our law office is located in Henderson, Nevada and we serve clients in Las Vegas and vicinity. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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