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Marijuana
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Full Read: 3 minutes
Marijuana
It is against the law to drive while under the influence of marijuana in Connecticut. If you are charged with driving under the influence of marijuana, a case will be built against you. The case will show that you were under the effects of marijuana. It will also show that you were impaired enough to be a danger to yourself and others on the road.
Cases concerning marijuana abuse while driving are more difficult cases for the state to win than DUI cases. This is because there are tests that can prove that you are intoxicated. This includes tests such as the blood alcohol level test and urine tests. But, there are no tests to measure THC levels (THC being the active ingredient in marijuana). If you have used marijuana in the past thirty days, it will show up on a THC level test. This makes it hard to determine exactly when a driver took marijuana and if it is actually effecting their driving. However, there are other tests designed to determine if a person is under the influence of marijuana while driving.
Balance and Coordination Tests
Police officers will usually take you through several balance and coordination tests in order to determine your level of sobriety. You might be asked to perform tests such as balancing on one foot or walking in a straight line. However, these tests do not always stand up in court due to the fact that many factors can affect a driver’s balance. Furthermore, a police officer might not be able to see clearly depending on the time of day or weather. These tests can usually be thrown out of court if you hire a competent lawyer.
Coordination tests can also be used if a police officer pulls you over and believes that you are not sober. Your dexterity will be investigated based on tests such as your ability to touch your index finger to your nose with your eyes closed, etc. These tests are also unreliable, because they can be difficult to do even if you are sober. Many lawyers will be able to have the results of coordination tests thrown out of court.
Mental State Tests
If a police officer is trying to determine your level of sobriety, they might also test your mental state. One test often used is asking you to recite the alphabet backwards. Again, this is a difficult test to do correctly even if you are sober, so it isn’t very accurate. If you fail a test that the police officer asks you to perform, this does not mean that your case is doomed. You still have a chance to prove your sobriety in court.
Unlike for intoxication, there is no reliable test that can prove if you are under the influence of marijuana while driving. As a result, police officers must rely on inaccurate field tests to assess your level of sobriety. Even if you fail these tests, if you hire a good lawyer, you can most likely have the results of these tests argued or dismissed. If you have further questions, you should get in touch with an attorney.