A new study by the Governors Highway Safety Association finds that drivers are nearly as likely to be impaired on drugs as drunk on alcohol.  The report also seeks out to take steps to better monitor and control drugged driving.  In other words, the report sets to seek out better ways to find drivers who are DUI drugged driving and have them prosecuted.

The report notes that statistics show that DUI drugged driving is increasing while drunk driving is failing a bit.  The data also showed that the drug found most often was marijuana.  This information will add to the debate about the legalization of marijuana.

Today, October 1, 2015, is the first day Oregonians will be allowed to purchase recreational marijuana legally.  Oregon joins Washington State and Colorado as the only states that allow the sale of a drug that remains illegal under U.S. federal law.  Under Oregon law, marijuana sales will be tax-free until January.  Already Oregon will have more marijuana dispensaries than Washington State has now.  And Oregon growers have invested in massive warehouses in Portland to grow the drug indoors.  Currently, Oregon growers do not have any restrictions on how much they can grow.  Thus, the supply of marijuana will be plentiful in Oregon.

The question remains on what effect Oregon’s new laws will have on DUI Drugged Driving.  It does seem governors are looking at Washington State and Oregon as test cases.  What response governors and other state officials will have on DUI Drugged Driving enforcement remains to be seen.  However, as the new study suggests, DUI Drugged Driving will increase and become more of a norm for law enforcement.  Law enforcement will likely become more aggressive in enforcement.  They will also become more skilled in detection of DUI Drugged Driving and drivers.  You are likely to see an increase in the number of Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officers.  Consequently, there will be an increase in the number of drivers prosecuted for DUI Drugged Driving.

Jeff Burleson is a skilled DUI defense attorney serving Kitsap County and all surrounding areas.  He is a former prosecutor that has prosecuted thousands of DUI cases.  He knows DUIs inside and outside including DUI drugged driving.  If you have been charged with DUI, contact Jeff for a free consultation.


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