Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2011
Source: Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)
Copyright: 2011 The Spokesman-Review
Contact:  http://www.spokesman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/417
Author: Michael Cloke

LAWFUL POT A HIGHWAY DANGER

So help this registered nurse understand the current discussion in
legalizing cannabis sativa in Washington state.

When I was involved in clinical drug testing, laboratory analysis was
able to detect delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) as late as 30
days after the reported use. Alcohol is water-soluble and leaves your
body pretty quickly. If I remember my science correctly, cannabis is
fat-soluble so it takes days to weeks for the chemical to leave the
body. Has anyone discovered the legal and sensible limit for operating
a motor vehicle after using marijuana?

Washington state's alcohol-related fatality rate is 43 percent (2008
statistics) of all motor-vehicle-related accidents, and I don't think
anyone believes use of marijuana and driving a motor vehicle is a good
idea.

It would be nice if some common sense would prevail in the Legislature
and there would be a resounding no vote on any proposal to legalize
the use of marijuana, as I do not believe we need more impaired
drivers on Washington state roads.

Michael Cloke

Clarkston
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.