Recreational marijuana will officially become legalized in Minnesota tomorrow, and law enforcement officials across the state have been preparing for this day for months. They expect a small uptick in the amount of people who use marijuana, but because it still remains illegal to drive while under the influence of marijuana, police also expect to see an increase in the amount of marijuana-related DUI arrests.
But what actions are police looking for that may suggest a driver is under the influence of marijuana? We spotlight some of the more common driving maneuvers of high drivers in today’s blog.
High Driving Behaviors
Marijuana will affect people differently, but one of the more common effects of both marijuana and alcohol is that they lead to a delayed reaction time. Not only is that a huge problem if a hazard quickly enters your driving lane, but it can also contribute to some driving behaviors that police keep an eye out for, including:
- Struggling to maintain your driving lane.
- Difficulty maintaining a steady speed.
- Following too closely.
- Rolling beyond a stop sign.
- Unable to maintain lane while navigating a turn.
If an officer witnesses any of these driving behaviors, they may opt to conduct a traffic stop. Once they pull you over and approach the vehicle, they will be on the lookout for other signs that the driver may be under the influence of marijuana. During their interaction with the driver, police will be looking for any of the following signs:
- Red or bloodshot eyes.
- Marijuana odor.
- Confusion or delayed response time when talking with the officer.
- Lack of concentration.
- Sudden, jerky movements.
- Drug paraphernalia.
If an officer suspects that an a driver is under the influence of alcohol, they can ask them to submit to a breathalyzer test to look for the presence of alcohol. As it currently stands, there is no such roadside test available for drivers who are suspected of being under the influence of marijuana, so an officer can make the determination to place a driver under arrest for suspicion of DUI based on their observations on the road and during the traffic stop. If you are placed under arrest, it is likely that you will be asked to submit to a blood test at the station, or a warrant for a blood draw may be granted if you choose not to voluntarily submit.
Because marijuana can show up in your system long after the effects of the drug have worn off, it will be interesting to see how the prosecution and defense lawyers argue this evidence collection in court. We will do everything in our power to help you beat a charge of driving under the influence, so if you or someone you know runs into trouble after marijuana is legalized tomorrow, have them give us a call. To set up your free case evaluation, or to talk to an attorney about your case, give Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
