Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana in Douglas County

Driving under the influence of marijuana in Douglas County, Colorado has many of the same elements and penalties as DUIs involving alcohol. While marijuana is a legal drug to a certain extent, operating a car, truck, or van while stoned or high can be costly. Police officers in these situations often require a blood test instead of a breath test if they suspect weed is impacting your ability to safely operate a vehicle. Smell, bloodshot eyes, or slurred speech are some of the types of evidence law enforcement looks for in these cases. If you’re facing an allegation of DUI of marijuana, it’s best to speak to an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as you can.

Colorado’s DUI of Marijuana Law

Colorado’s DUI of marijuana law prohibits driving while high. DUI laws and DWAI laws apply just as they would to an offense involving alcohol. CRS 42-4-1301 addresses driving under the influence throughout Colorado. You may face charges if:

you choose to drive while substantially incapable (mentally or physically),
of safely operating a vehicle,
due to consuming marijuana

One of the only major differences between DUI of alcohol vs DUI of marijuana is the latter doesn’t have a strict limit where drivers are considered too high to drive. After a blood test (occurs after an arrest), the figure prosecutors sometimes point to is 5+ nanograms of THC per milliliter. However, this isn’t conclusive and a skilled criminal lawyer can fight this in court.

How Bad is Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana in Douglas County?

Each DUI case is different. The penalties aren’t always the same. A first-time DUI of marijuana conviction can lead to:

up to 12 months in county jail,
a maximum fine of $1,000,
a revoked driver’s license for 9 months,
community service

These figures can increase with each subsequent DUI conviction, whether alcohol or drug related. Driving under the influence of marijuana or alcohol becomes a felony if it occurs after 3 prior DUI convictions. This can apply if they’re from Colorado or any other state.

Douglas County’s Top DUI Attorney

While consuming and possessing marijuana within certain limits isn’t unlawful in Colorado, driving stoned is. However, just because you’ve been charged with DUI of marijuana doesn’t mean you’re guilty. Perhaps police didn’t have probable cause to pull you over, improper procedures were practiced, or your driving wasn’t impacted by marijuana consumption. Nevertheless, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. We will carefully analyze your drugged driving case, as well as suggest next steps in your defense.