Protocol for driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) in California
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Authors
Croce, Renee
Issue Date
2014
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Cannabis , DRE , Protocol , Traffic safety , THC limit
Alternative Title
Abstract
Cannabis is readily available in California for medical use and may soon become legalized altogether. The increase in availability is accompanied by the danger posed by motorists who choose to drive while impaired by Cannabis. However, law enforcement’s emphasis on enforcing DUI-Cannabis, or DUIC, violations do not coincide with its availability. This study seeks to close that gap through the development of a standardized, science-based protocol for enforcement along with the recommendation of a Cannabis based per se law for California.
This project consisted of a comprehensive review of scientific studies that measured the effects of Cannabis consumption on motorists and methods to detect its presence, including the effectiveness of Drug Recognition Experts, or DREs. The results determined that per se laws for DUIC should specify a science-based legal limit for THC in whole blood at 6.2 ng/mL, or 6 ng/mL rounded.