Driving while high on marijuana may soon become an offence in San Francisco Bay area if two lawmakers have their way.
The two lawmakers are among some of the residents who have expressed concern about drivers smoking and getting behind the wheel since the new law only makes it illegal to have an open container of marijuana in your car.
This proposal to make it illegal to smoke marijuana and drive comes after California residents voted in proportion 64; which legalizes the use of recreational marijuana. This was passed back in November.
According to a report by KGO-TV, Sen.Jerry Hill (D-California) has stated that the current law does not cover the loophole of driving under the influence of marijuana.
“It didn’t say anything about if you were driving and smoking a marijuana cigarette or joint while driving or ingesting a brownie at the same time,” Hill said in an interview.
According to KGO-TV, state representative Evan Low in Silicon Valley and Sen.Jerry Hill are the lawmakers behind the Senate Bill 65 which seeks to seal the existing “loophole” in the current law.
Hill added that their proposal will make driving while high on marijuana consistent with driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the proposed legislation, if a driver is caught possessing or consuming a marijuana cigarette while driving, it will be considered as a misdemeanor or an infraction.
According to law, driving while smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol is different than being impaired. It is always illegal to be impaired while driving.
This proposed legislation is bound to provoke some different reactions from stakeholders in the marijuana industry. It remains to be seen how this will change the driving culture, however, it must be stated that it is always advisable to drive with a sober head at all times.
