Pubdate: Sun, 31 Dec 2017
Source: Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA)
Copyright: 2017 The Press-Enterprise Company
Contact: http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/letters_form.html
Website: http://www.pe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/830
Author: Amy Bentley

ON THE ROAD: MARIJUANA SMOKING, CONSUMPTION NOW ILLEGAL IN CARS IN 
CALIFORNIA

Each new year brings new driving or transportation-related laws in
California and 2018 is no exception. We'd like to share these new laws
with readers in the next few columns.

Marijuana and edible cannabis use in vehicles, Senate Bill 65:
Recreational marijuana/cannabis is now legal to be purchased and
consumed in certain places, but that doesn't mean you can light up a
joint on your daily commute.

Consuming cannabis while driving or while riding as a passenger in a
vehicle in California is illegal. This new law is similar to the "open
container" laws that outlaw drinking alcohol while driving, though
having some alcohol in your system while driving isn't outlawed.

It's already a crime to drive while under the influence of marijuana
or to have an open bag of pot in a your vehicle. The new law bans
actually smoking marijuana or consuming any edible cannabis products
while driving or riding in a vehicle.

Driving while impaired by alcohol, legal or illegal drugs can result
in a DUI arrest and conviction. The fine for a first-offense DUI,
along with all the associated costs, can run more than $15,000 in
California, the California Highway Patrol reports.
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MAP posted-by: Matt