Since Nevada becamce the seventh official state to legalize recreational use of cannabis back in the November election, the state government has been quick to implement the newly approved measure into practice. Starting January 1, recreational cannabis use and possession was made legal across the Silver State, while lawmakers have also been pushing to bring retail sales into the state before 2018.
As the bright and bustling city of Las Vegas plans to light up even more this new year, drivers should still beware of the Metropolitan Police Department’s plan to seek out drivers under the influence of cannabis. Metro police officer Sgt. Jon David has expressed concern about legalization leading to an increase of driving under the influence, treating the crime as they would a DUI for alcohol.
The Las Vegas police have hinted at using clues like scent or bloodshot eyes as evidence that a driver is under the influence. Traffic officers have also participated in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) courses, helping them detect the general signs of recent cannabis use. There’s also a chance that the Metro police department may make use of the weed breathalyzers that have started to popping up on the market.
Unlike alcohol however, law enforcement doesn’t provide much guidance for how long users should wait before driving. One AAA study suggests waiting four to six hours after smoking or six to eight hours after ingestion before driving, but the fact that Nevada-based police officers have little tools to test for cannabis could potentially lead to arrests simply for visual suspicion.
According to Nevada law, the limits for a urine test are 10 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of marijuana or 15 ng/mL of marijuana metabolite, while blood test limits are 2 ng/mL of marijuana or 5 ng/mL of metabolite. While the line is clearly drawn by law, recreational cannabis users have little access to tools that can help them monitor their levels before getting behind the wheel.
Aside from the planned focus on cannabis DUI, the recreational cannabis legislation in Nevada is still quite lenient. The law allows possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and 3.5 grams of concentrate, while adults are allowed to grow up to six plants in their household. Like most places with recreational legislation, public use is still punishable by fine.
All in all, the announcement by the Metro Police Department sounds like a warning for cannabis users excited about recreational legalization. While you can now get stoned and enjoy a stroll through Sin City, it’d be wise to stay away from the steering wheel while doing so.
