Pubdate: Mon, 30 Nov 2015 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Brad Van Alstyne Page: 18 Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor. STONED DRIVER PROBLEM So all of the young'uns are gleeful at the victory of the Trudeau Liberals because of their promise to legalize marijuana. While I don't necessarily like it, I have to admit it probably makes sense, given that its use is so common anyway. I think the one major issue people are overlooking in this discussion, however, is the impact it's likely to have on our roads. Unlike alcohol, there is no standard of blood THC level above which you are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle. And while the manner of impairment is different from alcohol, I don't think there are many who have partaken that would argue that marijuana doesn't negatively affect your perception, judgment, decision making and reaction time. While there is a law in place with respect to impaired driving, the physical signs of impairment with marijuana are much different than with alcohol and are subjective and open to interpretation. This is why people are rarely convicted on the basis that they are "stoned". If this government is going to deal responsibly with the legalization of marijuana, I believe this is an issue that needs to be firmly addressed when they do so. Brad Van Alstyne Via ottawasun.com - ---------------------------------------------- (One of a number of issues that will need to be worked out before pot is legalized) - --- MAP posted-by: Matt