With the increasing accessibility of adult-use cannabis in Rhode Island, it is crucial to remind residents and visitors of the following:
Using marijuana can impair your ability to drive safely. Signs of marijuana impairment can include:
- Loss of concentration and attentiveness.
- Impaired reaction time and emergency decision-making ability.
- Reduced peripheral vision.
- Difficulty maintaining a constant speed, following distance, and lane position.
- Loss of balance.
- Getting lost even in familiar places.
While cannabis use is generally less dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol, using a cell phone, or other risky driving behaviors, it can still be serious, especially with heavy doses from dabs or edibles. Everyone should be aware of their level of impairment before they drive, particularly those who are not accustomed to being “high” on marijuana.
The use of cannabis edibles can be particularly problematic for drivers. Edibles typically take 1-2 hours or more to take effect, making it challenging to know the proper dosage. A 10mg THC dose is considered a full dose for edibles, but inexperienced users are advised to start with a lower dose, between 2.5 – 5 mg. (Experienced chronic users can tolerate much higher doses.) All users should consume edibles only in a safe environment for themselves and others.
Combining marijuana with alcohol can be especially dangerous. Most studies show that mixing the two is unwise, particularly before driving.
We recommend that cannabis consumers download an impairment-measuring app on their phones, such as My Canary or DRUID. These apps allow you to establish a baseline level of performance on tests that correlate to driving functions and to test yourself after consuming cannabis and before getting on the roadway. (Do not, of course, use these smartphone apps while driving!) If you don’t have access to an app, try standing on one foot to check your balance.
Using cannabis while in a car or driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal in Rhode Island. Although there is no per se limit on the amount of THC in a driver’s body, officers may administer a field sobriety test, and arrestees may be required to submit to a blood or urine test or else forfeit their licenses.