Marijuana may be legal in Colorado for those over 21, both medicinally and recreationally, but driving under the influence of this drug is still illegal.
If you are caught driving under the influence of marijuana in Colorado, it can result in penalties that may not be on your radar. It can also impact your driving record as seriously as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Here’s what you need to know about marijuana DUIs in Colorado in case you ever find yourself accused of being too intoxicated to safely drive a vehicle under the influence of marijuana.
DUI of Marijuana in Colorado
Driving while under the influence of marijuana is a crime if you are impaired to the point where you can no longer safely operate a vehicle. This applies even now, when recreational marijuana use is legal.
The laws surrounding marijuana DUIs in Colorado are similar to those involving alcohol, since the law has no separate section for marijuana DUI/DWAIs. Law enforcement simply treat marijuana and alcohol DUIs the same way.
The only differences found between alcohol and marijuana are:
- Colorado has no legal marijuana limit at which you are considered too impaired to drive
- Anyone arrested for marijuana DUIs or DWAIs can be required to take a blood, urine, or saliva test instead of a breath test
Marijuana DUI in Colorado: Defined
In Colorado, a marijuana DUI is defined as consuming the substance until you are substantially mentally or physically incapable of operating a vehicle in a safe manner.
Unlike alcohol-related DUIs, there is no marijuana DUI per se in the state. However, if you were operating a vehicle with five nanograms or more per milliliter of THC in your blood at the time of your arrest, then it may be assumed you were driving under the influence.
How Does The State Prove a Marijuana DUI Against You?
In order for the state to successfully prove you are guilty of a marijuana DUI, they need more than just the evidence of a blood test. This is not considered conclusive.
Prosecutors must show you were too impaired to safely drive. They can do this through establishing evidence against you, such as:
- You drove in violation of Colorado traffic laws
- You were driving too slow or too fast
- You appeared high on marijuana through slurred speech or bloodshot eyes
- You weaved in and out traffic lanes
- You had marijuana paraphernalia in the vehicle
- The officer smelled marijuana in your car
- Marijuana was found in your car at the time of the arrest
It’s important to note that having a medical marijuana card is not sufficient probable cause for an officer to insist you take a blood test. It cannot be used against you in court.
What Is a DWAI in Colorado?
Driving while ability impaired in Colorado is different than a DUI, even with marijuana.
DWAI simply means that you were less able to physically or mentally operate a vehicle safely than you normally would be. DWAIs are normally misdemeanor offenses, and they don’t require a lot of impairment for a decisive guilty verdict.
However, there is no test like with alcohol to establish whether you’re guilty of a DWAI at the scene. If you’re lawfully arrested for a DWAI, then the amount of THC from a blood test is a factor the jury can consider.
How Much Marijuana?
It can be difficult to understand how much marijuana is too much to safely operate a vehicle, because the impact of marijuana differs due to many factors. Its potency can change depending on how it was taken, how strong the marijuana is, what strain the marijuana is, and your experience taking marijuana.
It’s important to understand one caveat when you’re accused of a DUI or DWAI for marijuana. The court is entitled to presume you were driving under the influence of the substance if a chemical test shows more than five nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood.
Penalties for Marijuana DUI/DWAI in Colorado
Marijuana DUIs and DWAIs penalties mirror those of alcohol in the state. It is not uncommon to face jail time, fines, loss of driving privileges, installation of an ignition interlock system, and increased auto insurance rates if you are found guilty of a marijuana DUI or DWAI. This is especially the case if you have prior DUI or DWAI convictions.
As you can see, a marijuana DUI or DWAI is just as serious as its alcohol counterpart in the eyes of the law. That’s why it’s vital to understand your rights if you’re charged with a marijuana DUI or DWAI. You may need to defend yourself against the charges in court.
About the Author:
Kimberly Diego is a criminal defense attorney in Denver practicing at The Law Office of Kimberly Diego. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and her law degree at the University of Colorado. She was named one of Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars of 2012 & 2019” and a “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Colorado” for 2012-2020 by The National Trial Lawyers. Both honors are limited to a small percentage of practicing attorneys in each state. Additionally, Expertise names her to its lists of the 25 Best Denver DUI Lawyers and 21 Best Denver Criminal Defense Lawyers, both in 2020. Ms. Diego has also been recognized for her work in domestic violence cases.
