"CNN may have just posted their best piece of investigative journalism in years. In the following video, three drivers of varying ages got incredibly high on marijuana and test-drove cars around a course. A driving-ed instructor accompanied them to avert any chance of an accident, and police watched from the sidelines to spot any visible 'signs' of inebriation in their movements.
The volunteers -- a young daily smoker, adult weekend smoker and elder infrequent smoker -- proceeded to test escalating levels of stupor against the new baseline 'legal limits' in Colorado and Washington state. They had to reach excesses of 5 times the legal limit before their ability to drive became impaired. In most cases, the danger they presented was driving too slowly or with frequent hesitations.
Although hardly scientific, this test does offer some insight into a specter which has haunted us for years: marijuana legalization. Last November, the country watched tame and good-natured celebrations sweep Colorado and Washington after their pro-marijuana ballot passed. The sudden and complete lack of tension between public smokers and police was wonderful to see; it was like two opposing armies finally laying arms to rest. It was as if a part of America had leapt into a progressive future, giving the rest of us a glimpse into what might be. Could anyone deny that this was a microcosm of the future most have been waiting for?
Despite resounding state level calls to end to the war on drugs, the DEA and federal government still loom overhead with murky legal gray zones. When asked by Barbara Walters what his current stance on the issue was, Obama said he would not make it a priority to go after recreational users in states that have passed legalization initiatives. This evasive, political response is to be expected: we aren't permitting drugs, but we won't fight the states on the issue.
Perhaps it would be too much to ask for the president to fully legalize marijuana and end an obscene prohibition that imprisons millions of Americans. But if the political PR can be ignored, it is undoubtedly the right thing to do. For now, maybe the best tactic is to keep harassing citizens federally, so they demand protection from their states and take the issue off Obama's plate.
So back to our drivers, and the issue many mothers are now concerned about: children having a new intoxicant to afflict their driving skills. How did the 'impaired' volunteers actually do? Well at a certain point, the substance had an undeniable effect on their ability to navigate a vehicle sensibly. But they all maintained surprising control, even at incredibly excessive levels of marijuana consumption. Moreover, unlike drunk drivers, they were very much aware of their state and agreed they were not on top of their game. Without over-indulging, it seems people's critical thinking can be trusted more with a few hits than a couple of drinks.
When it comes to marijuana in America, there's still a long road ahead to change laws, perceptions and behavior. But it's progress worth making, as long as it gets us away from misinformed stereotypes like this."
From
http://www.reddit.com/r/videos/comments/18q9b0/drivers_stoned_on_marijuana_test_their_driving/ ...
31 Comments
jonny*nochannel
Definitely not a fail. They were driving fine at as much as 5-7 times the legal limit. Addy only got bad after 1.4 grams (which is quite a lot of kind bud).
*happy *news despite the *controversy over *drugs and the use of *wheels, and maybe an indication of the *future of *law.
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PlayhousePals*promote safe driving under arbitrary rules
siftbotPromoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Monday, February 18th, 2013 4:22pm PST - promote requested by PlayhousePals.
L0ckysays...Don't think there's much controversy to be honest.
Maybe the limit can be raised slightly but the more give the limit has the more likely people will chance it.
P.S. To future young adults watching this video: yup, this was really strange to watch back in the day.
ToastyBuffoonsays...All that pot smoking and not a bowl of Doritos in sight.
Trancecoachthere was another video on here from a participant in the report who found it to be severely flawed.
can't find it at the moment, but someone should link them as "related."
arekinsays...I'm going to be the possible voice of decent here, but I don't think the legal limit should be raised. I think its in place to keep people from getting pulled over and arrested who have smoked hours beforehand, not to protect those people who just smoked and now want to drive.
bmacs27says...At the same time, when combined with even small amounts of alcohol there is a significant impairment. Further, the test isn't really testing reaction times that are relevant in realistic driving situations. The issue with cannabis impairment is delayed reaction to surprising stimuli. So, for example, the kid chasing his ball into the street. Nobody would expect significant motor impairment.
shagen454I can drive better having drank a six pack than having taken two massive hits off the bong. When I am stoned driving a car faster than 25mph seems lightning fast and driving on the highway at night is a fucking nightmare come true.
direpickleThis is exactly why you actually probably drive better on MJ than on alcohol.
Alcohol: "I am fucking awesome at this driving shit!"
MJ: "Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck drive careful drive careful."
I can drive better having drank a six pack than having taken two massive hits off the bong. When I am stoned driving a car faster than 25mph seems lightning fast and driving on the highway at night is a fucking nightmare come true.
shagen454I do not know if going twenty five on the freeway is more careful, I honestly think I swerve more stoned because I am so paranoid that I psyche myself out.
This is exactly why you actually probably drive better on MJ than on alcohol.
Alcohol: "I am fucking awesome at this driving shit!"
MJ: "Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck drive careful drive careful."
StuAlso driving 25 on a freeway is a good way to get a solid object tossed at your car.
PaybackYea, everyone's all safe and drivin' slow until they get passed by a Doritos truck, then... THEN... watch the carnage.
ChaosEngineFrankly, this is a medium term problem. And drink driving too. In 15-20 years, we'll have self-driving cars (google, don't make me a liar) at which point, I will be able to go to the pub, get wasted and get driven home by my trusty auto-car.
And I will never again have to have another god awful conversation with a taxi driver. Bring it on...
StukaFoxsays...God I love living in Washington state!
PlayhousePalsCareful if you're NOT on a closed course:
*related=http://videosift.com/video/Marijuana-and-Driving
siftbotMarijuana and Driving has been added as a related post - related requested by PlayhousePals.
vaire2ubepeople who think driving on cannabis is dangerous either dont use it or dont use it regularly... they are thinking of driving when THEY are stoned... and great for them to know their limitations.... some of us don't freak out and sit in a corner when we are "stoned", we function like non-users except with a better attitude towards life... OH MY GOD LOOK AT THAT DRAGON #*U!
PalmliXsays...How about we just don't drive under the influence of any drugs and call it a day?
GutspillerNext, lets give them guns and see how they do... say on Halloween.
poolcleanerIt's almost as if everyone has their own individual reactions to particular amounts of particular substances.
vaire2ubewheres the video that shows a circle of cars moving at 30 miles an hour, when started at a set distance between cars, will create a traffic jam for no reason? fuck drugs people are the problem... replace us please nature
FletchBacking over a cone you can't see is not the same as backing into a pole you can see.
messengerI'd like to see this same test done with alcohol.
PaybackAlready done, search for "russia" and "dashcam".
I'd like to see this same test done with alcohol.
Paybackhttp://videosift.com/video/Traffic-Jam-Simulation
wheres the video that shows a circle of cars moving at 30 miles an hour, when started at a set distance between cars, will create a traffic jam for no reason? fuck drugs people are the problem... replace us please nature
bookfaceI love you Abby. You're awesome ;-)
antThat should be the next Super Bowl TV ad!
Yea, everyone's all safe and drivin' slow until they get passed by a Doritos truck, then... THEN... watch the carnage.
quantumushroomFlawed test assumed stoners have somewhere to be.
siftbotMarijuana Intoxication and Driving has been added as a related post - related requested by PlayhousePals on that post.
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