Pubdate: Thu, 02 May 2013
Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH)
Copyright: 2013 The Columbus Dispatch
Contact:  http://www.dispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93
Author: P.W. Leithart
Page: 18

STONED DRIVERS AS DANGEROUS AS DRUNK ONES

The Bloomberg News article "Some teen drivers say pot 'helps' " in the
Friday Dispatch, suggesting pot use improves driving skills, is no
surprise. Ask pot users and they'll say that everything is better when
they are high. Ask the National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws and it will agree.

The problem is that users are not competent to judge their driving
skills. Do not expect intoxicated people to be aware of their
impairments.

Scientific studies have shown that pot users are 41 percent impaired
after one joint and 63 percent impaired after two. There have been
many studies of pot use and driving; the evidence shows that even
hours after the high wears off, the user still is impaired. This
involves motor skills, visual perception, attention, ignoring signals,
etc

Alcohol and pot use end up in tragic accidents, as happened only a few
days ago in Columbus. Too many things are settled by public opinion.
Let's look at the facts.

P.W. LEITHART

Columbus
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MAP posted-by: Matt