Marijuana has been legal for recreational and medicinal use in Washington since 2013. In the intervening years, little progress has been made in reliable tests for suspected DUI’s and the dissemination of that information. Continue reading for answers to questions you may have about marijuana DUI laws in Washington.
Marijuana DUI arrests can be made on different grounds. If an officer pulls someone over for reckless driving and smells marijuana, a DUI arrest can be made. If there are signs of intoxication, a DUI arrest can be made. If there is marijuana in the vehicle, even though it is legal to go and buy marijuana, a DUI arrest can be made if it is possible that you consumed marijuana. There are no reliable blood tests for marijuana, so officers have a lot of leeway when it comes to arrests.
The best way to avoid a possible DUI conviction is to treat marijuana the same way you would treat alcohol. Don’t drive after consuming marijuana. Regardless of your tolerance level, driving buzzed is a crime and driving slightly high is one, too. When transporting cannabis, open carry laws apply. It is illegal to drive with an open bottle of beer and it is illegal to drive with marijuana that could be consumed. Keep your marijuana in a sealed container and put it in your trunk or in a locked glove compartment to remove the possibility of a mistaken DUI arrest. Also, public consumption of marijuana is a crime. If you are a passenger and you are smoking marijuana, you can be charged with a DUI.
If you do get a DUI for marijuana, you will be required to get an SR22. An SR22 is a special type of insurance that you must carry if you have been convicted of a DUI. It marks you as a high risk driver and can get you dropped from your insurance or send your insurance rates sky-high.
At Eric Johnson Insurance, we specialize in high-risk drivers and are committed to getting you on the road with an insurance policy that meets every criterion you need! Whether you are looking for an affordable policy or need to file an SR22, you won’t find anyone better than us. Contact us to find out how we can help you! (253) 273-7064 / (916) 918-5045
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