4 Myths About Marijuana And DUI

Below we list 4 myths about marijuana and DUI:

Myth Number One: Legalizing Marijuana Encourages Teenager Use

The most typical concern that surrounds marijuana legalization is its possible impact on teenagers. Many opponents claim that ending prohibition will serve as an endorsement for youth to use marijuana. However, time and time again, research has proven there to be no link between the passing of cannabis laws and a rise in teenager use.

Myth Number Two: Marijuana Legalization Leads to a Rise in Crime

One other common misconception of the legalization of marijuana is that it’ll cause a rise in crime. However, in legalizing marijuana, crime rates inevitably decrease, as there’s no longer a punishment for small marijuana possession. In the year that followed legalization, arrests for possession dipped by 98% and arrests on any cannabis-associated charge declined by 85%.

However, the downward crime trend after legalization additionally extends to crimes unassociated with marijuana. For instance, according to Drug Policy Alliance research, the total crime rate declined in the initial 11 months following the initial retail cannabis stores opening their doors in the year 2014. Violent crimes fell 2.2%, and burglaries and property crime, in general, dropped by 9.5% and 8.9%, respectively. One other study assessing the impact of medical legalization of marijuana came up with similar conclusions, with crime dipping after the passing of medical marijuana laws.

Myth Number Three: Marijuana Legalization Leads to an Increase in DUI’s

With the psychoactive effects of marijuana, legalization opponents claim that permitting folks to use marijuana will cause an increase in incidents of DUI. While it is a fact that large marijuana doses may affect psychomotor perception and performance, studies from places which have legalized cannabis have proven this worry to be unwarranted.

The study by the Drug Policy Alliance discovered that traffic deaths in the 11 months after the start of recreational cannabis sales dropped by 3%, as compared with the same period within the previous year.

Myth Number Four: Legalization of Marijuana Encourages the Use of More Severe Drugs

Opponents worried that legalization of marijuana will cause a rise in the amount of folks who ultimately move onto more harmful drugs need not be concerned. A National Institute on Drug Abuse report concluded that, ‘most folks who use cannabis don’t go on to use other, ‘harder’ drugs.’ An Institute of Medicine report also discovered no proof that cannabis use is connected with the eventual use of additional illicit drugs. Even United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch acknowledged recently that cannabis isn’t a gateway drug.

Studies indicate that marijuana is beneficial for addiction treatment. Cannabis has proven it may be used to decrease the severity of heroin or opioid withdrawals and curb alcohol cravings. It also can assist addicts in their path to recovery by reducing anxiety and insomnia.

For more myths about marijuana and DUI please feel free to get in touch with the one of the top recognized criminal lawyers in Winnipeg, Matthew Gould today!