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

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(One of a number of issues that will need to be worked out before pot
is legalized)
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MAP posted-by: Matt