Drug driving

[Chargeride]

Heres a story that you might well see as justice served.

My long term friend who is a successful builder smokes a few joints everyday, very low level weed, hes been doing it for 45 years and owns quite a property portfolio.

It doesnt seem to effect him in any obvious way, but eventually his time has come and he was pulled over, mouthswab, arrested, good news for cyclists, but on the other hand he still uses a Nokia dumbphone and doesnt text, so no runing over bikers while Whatsapping.

He spends the night in the city Victorian police station, we'll be in touch...

So he gets the train home, picks up his van ,driving to his house, blue lights, pull over, mouthswab ...arrested again.

Turns out it can be detected for up to a week!!!

How did you know I was driving?

They put your reg into the roadside camera network after drug conviction, it pops up on the traffic cops screen, he was nearby, followed a tracking beacon from licence plate detection.

Couldnt you have told me this..to not drive?

Its a bit of a grey area, we are not obliged to.

Two drug offences, looking at three year ban on the books.

Im like, I was in your van whike you were smoking last month!

 

[harryS]

I believed Clinton when he said he never inhaled. Neither did I, back in the day when weed was brought out at parties, If I had, I would have gagged and puked. Had enough of that with booze.

I get high smelling rosin core solder.

 

[February]

Hello from the High five State of Michigan, land of legal med and rec ganja. I smoke myself. Leo's here use a breathalyzer that can tell exactly how long ago it was you consumed cannabis. If you are driving impaired and blow negative on a breathalyzer for booze or if you refuse, they will do a blood draw. So even edibles can be detected. Not necessary though. You can always spot a stoned driver, because they drive at least 5 to 10 mph slower than the speed limit.

If your friend has been smoking brick weed that much every day for that long, he's basically an addict like a cigarette smoker, he's not getting anything out of it, his brain is just now married to it. Mary Jane is a much more forgiving girl than tobacco. If you smoke regularly, you will quickly build a tolerance to the point where your brain can no longer catalyze the drug in any meaningful way. You're smoking, but you're not getting anything out of it, just like a cigarette or vape addict. Here is the difference. You can quit smoking tobacco for decades and if you light up, you'll be back to a pack a day within a week and again getting nothing out of it. Marry Jane is more forgiving. Although addiction can occur(anything that changes brain chemistry has potential for addiction), It's not like cigarette or caffeine or sugar or booze in terms of addiction. The withdrawal isn't physical and not nearly as bad as nicotine or booze or any other drug. Marry Jane lets you know when you've had too much and makes you take a time out. No matter your tolerance or how strong the ganja, you can stop smoking for even a week, and go from nothing at all, too instant pain relief or tripping balls in 1 second flat.

At one point my tolerance was so high I did 300 mg of edible gummies, nothing. Thought maybe I got a bad batch, nope tried again the next day. Mary Jane was telling me to slow my roll, which I did. Our first test case here in Michigan was an older guy who was clocked in excess of 100mph on a 70mph freeway. Anyone else familiar with Ganja will tell you, NO ONE on just weed, will ever be clocked going that fast, because it feels like you're driving at 300mph. Yeah, Dude was actually drunk driving, but had smoked marijuana earlier, that was our first impaired under ganja case. For the record, I never drive under the influence and wish others would not either, but if I had to make a choice between sharing the road with drunk drivers and stoned drivers, I would choose the stoned drivers over drunk drivers any day of the week, and so would you. Better still if we could all just drive sober.

 

[Mulezen]

Long time connoisseur of MJ to the extent of growing my own since 1980. Never a drinker. No problem with driving on the stuff, in fact found it useful for long drives. That has changed in recent years as I have switched to edibles since my lungs rebelled. My friend (scientist…methodical) makes the edibles out of what I grow. The first time I tried his finished product I went for a ride and forgot I had eaten the cookie…it undeniably hit me near the end of my ride going down a steep hill. At 35mph, suddenly blasted, it was exhilarating. Not to be repeated. Now when I consume it I’m home for the night on Zoom making as ass of myself with the writer’s association I’m part of.

 

[February]

That's the thing about Ganja, you really need to develop a tolerance so you can find out what your level is for pain, anxiety or fun. I trust those who regularly smoke weed far more than the casual every once in a while cannabis smoker. I believe you when you say you have no problems driving on the stuff. There are so many people smoking it for so many reasons. It is a real game changer for people with all sorts of health issues and is safer than booze if you just want fade out or have fun and for most, it brings positive improvements to one's life.

 

[February]

I believed Clinton when he said he never inhaled. Neither did I, back in the day when weed was brought out at parties, If I had, I would have gagged and puked. Had enough of that with booze.

I get high smelling rosin core solder.

Around age 18 I started smoking. Nothing. Over the next year, I realized I was never inhaling and no one noticed either, then some one did and put a loaded bong in my hands. Coughing ensued and I was shortly melting into the wall I was sitting against. To this day I feel bad that I didn't know how to inhale and that I wasted so much of other kid's supply. This would have been mid 90's when all you could get was brick or if you were lucky you could occasionally get kind, the good stuff. Cue the Tom Segura Bit:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I had a year with ganja back in 1985. It ended up for me with a terrible nightmare (like, an angel descending on me with a sword of fire), and with a deep depression. Gave up THC for many many years. Later, the use was even less than occasional. On the other hand, several friends who became chronic users have recently died, often from cancer.

I don't judge. For me, nicotine is a potent drug, and a real disaster of my life. Ethanol being the second but while I stopped drinking and do not plan to intoxicate myself except rare social events, I cannot give up cigarettes.

 

[February]

I was never an alcoholic, but I self medicated and abused it at times. Been absolutely sober on booze for over 3 years now because of medications I'm on . Quit smoking cigarettes and went vape on that. 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of cigarettes and less harmful. Still vaping Nicotine. I feel you my brother in e biking- I should also say a lot of people end up having very bad experiences with ganja and it can be dangerous for people with mental illness like schizophrenia. And Yes, people do ruin their lungs smoking and vaping, but it's not nearly as bad for one as smoking nicotine. Marry Jane is a psychotropic, nicotine is a nerve toxin. I judge no one. If you aren't hurting anyone else or yourself, than it's nobody's business what you do with or put in your body. I know for a fact I will not live as long as my parents have. For me, its no longer about quantity, but quality of life. Everyone has vice, everyone, no exceptions. For some it's internet, religion, sex, for others its drugs. To each their own. Suffering is part of the human condition regardless of income or social status. What any man or woman does to cope with that, so long as they aren't hurting others, is none of my business.

A classic example of those who judge others is minding your own, when a morbidly obese Karen wants to lecture you on your smoking when they are pushing maximum density. For those not aware, coronary heart disease caused by obesity is the number one cause of death in The USA. Still, I don't judge people with eating disorders either.

 

[February]

Have to admit, I'm grateful as hell to all the growers and activists who got us to where we are, but I still find many of the names funny.

 

[tomjasz]

My first THC high was in 1966. My last THC high was a couple of months back when I ate some gummies that put me in the emergency room. Some weird chemically concocted THC variant. f*ck ME! I survived LSD, shrooms, peyote, and nameless white powders. Only to be hospitalized by some "smoke shop" bullshit! I just wanted some help sleeping. But a $3000 emergency room bill slapped me in the face and reminded me that the market is treacherous.
tures
I did a grow and decarbed the crop and have an amazing batch of sleep tonics without ER adventures.

 

[February]

We don't have that problem here. While there are still some bootleggers supplying dispensaries, It's a highly regulated industry in Michigan. Everything goes to lab for testing before it is delivered to the dispensaries. Yeah, I'm reminded of all the kids that got their lungs liquefied from the bad batch of home made thc vape juice in a few states. I believe it was vitaman E acetate that someone added to a batch that killed and maimed many kids.

 

[February]

My first THC high was in 1966. My last THC high was a couple of months back when I ate some gummies that put me in the emergency room. Some weird chemically concocted THC variant. f*ck ME! I survived LSD, shrooms, peyote, and nameless white powders. Only to be hospitalized by some "smoke shop" bullshit! I just wanted some help sleeping. But a $3000 emergency room bill slapped me in the face and reminded me that the market is treacherous.
tures
I did a grow and decarbed the crop and have an amazing batch of sleep tonics without ER adventures.

Glad you are still with us, have to ask, too much thc or what happened?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

With alcohol you always have the option of unwinding with a cocktail, glass of wine, or a couple of beers, getting nowhere near drunk, and then driving safely with no impairment and a perfectly legal blood level.

And I'd venture that most alcohol users do just that. Moreover, no one would think someone who did just that everyday a drunk or lush or addict. I understand that drinking in moderation everyday is especially common in Europe.

Because the THC dose is so easily metered, edible cannabis users have exactly the same option. And I'd venture that a lot of the edible THC sold ends up getting consumed in just that fashion. Result: Relaxed or left with a slightly different lens on the world, but nowhere near stoned and fully able to drive safely.

What makes cannabis and driving so problematic from a legal standpoint is that there's no reasonably reliable correlation between THC blood levels and measurable impairment, as there is with alcohol. The psychophysiology of THC is just too complex for that.

From earlier posts, that lack of an easy test apparently leads some authorities to a "no safe level" approach to THC. Hardly fair to responsible low-dose edible users, but for now, no great alternatives either.

 

[February]

With alcohol you always have the option of unwinding with a cocktail, glass of wine, or a couple of beers, getting nowhere near drunk, and then driving safely with no impairment and a perfectly legal blood level.

And I'd venture that most alcohol users do just that. Moreover, no one would think someone who did just that everyday a drunk or lush or addict. I understand that drinking in moderation everyday is especially common in Europe.

Because the THC dose is so easily metered, edible cannabis users have exactly the same option. And I'd venture that a lot of the edible THC sold ends up getting consumed in just that fashion. Result: Relaxed or left with a slightly different lens on the world, but nowhere near stoned and fully able to drive safely.

What makes cannabis and driving so problematic from a legal standpoint is that there's no reasonably reliable correlation between THC blood levels and measurable impairment, as there is with alcohol. The psychophysiology of THC is just too complex for that.

From earlier posts, that lack of an easy test apparently leads some authorities to a "no safe level" approach to THC. Hardly fair to responsible low-dose edible users, but for now, no great alternatives either.

Agreed, everyone has different tolerances. Having said that, Michigan doesn't play with impaired drivers under the influence. One pint of guineas would put you over the limit here. We have super drunk laws which make sense for some, but not for others, but we're all supposed to be playing by the same rules and if you get pulled over for driving under the influence 3 times, mandatory 1 year in Jail. Lots of people lawyer up to get around the 3 strikes rule, which is why you hear about people getting multiple dui's and killing some one with their car with a suspended driver's license. I think one cocktail or more than 1 pint of domestic (the horrible crap Americans got used to during prohibition) puts you over the legal limit here. Its the same with ganja. If you have a high tolerance you'll be fine. If you have no tolerance, you'll be spotted for driving slower than normal. Also depends on what you are smoking and how strong it is. No it isn't fair, but I've seen people get out of their cars at petrol stations reeking of ganja. The cops here can pull you over for anything and in some areas do. One whiff is probable cause and even if you pass a sobriety test, they can still request a blood draw. The Staties are cool and only bother you if you are being a nutter on the road. To Quote a you tube attorney, in a crisis situation the cops are your best friend, the rest of the time they are trying to arrest or ticket people to make money for the municipality and courts they serve. This used to be relegated to red light districts, now its everyone everywhere. Again the state police aren't really like this, but plenty of city and village cops and sheriff's deputies are just out pulling everyone over they can hoping for a big fish(major drug bust). Don't get me started on civil forfeiture. I also have to say between people on phones and watching tvs built into their dash, its getting scary out there if you're sharing the road with cars. About an hour from where I live two Amish on bicycles got run over in broad daylight this past summer, in perfect driving conditions and no traffic.

I don't drink anymore, but I feel the need to share this Monty Python Joke:

How is American beer like making love in a canoe? It's f@cking close to water-
If You drink Mr. McCreary, enjoy a cocktail or a Guinness for me.

 

[BlackHand]

One pint of guineas would put you over the limit here.

Yeah, I can see how that would cause you to run a fowl of the law.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

One pint of guineas would put you over the limit here.

There is "zero tolerance" rule in most EU countries. That is, 0.2 promille is the limit. One beer gets you above 0.2.
What I hear is UK and Ireland have the 0.8 promille limit, which probably allows one British pint of Guinness (which is bigger than the U.S. pint!)

How is American beer like making love in a canoe? It's f@cking close to water-

This is for the mass produced American Lager. Bear in mind it is the U.S. that is the Home of Craft Beer since early 1980s, and Craft Beer is decidedly not making love in a kayak

 

[February]

There is "zero tolerance" rule in most EU countries. That is, 0.2 promille is the limit. One beer gets you above 0.2.
What I hear is UK and Ireland have the 0.8 promille limit, which probably allows one British pint of Guinness (which is bigger than the U.S. pint!)


This is for the mass produced American Lager. Bear in mind it is the U.S. that is the Home of Craft Beer since early 1980s, and Craft Beer is decidedly not making love in a kayak

Agreed, although if you do like Guinness, stay away from an American stout called Dragon's blood. Tastes like Guinness mixed with Marmite, disgusting till the last drop. I love both, but not together. They charge an arm and a leg for that swill as well.
correction, it's not Dragon's Blood; it's Dragon's Milk.
+ = = Gross

 

[Stefan Mikes]

an American stout called Dragon's blood

It looks a legit Imperial Stout to me! Barrel Aged, mhmmmm What % abv? (ah, 11%!) And it is served in a proper TeKu glass! A good recommendation!

@February: the only Guinness beer I can drink is the FES (Foreign Extra Stout) 7.5% abv. The regular one feels too close to water

 

[February]

It looks a legit Imperial Stout to me! Barrel Aged, mhmmmm What % abv? (ah, 11%!) And it is served in a proper TeKu glass! A good recommendation!

Yeah I've never had an imperial before, but this stuff is gross. Even a 4loco or Steel Reserve(have excederine on hand for that poison) tastes better halfway through. Like Marmite and Vegamite, assuming this must be an acquired taste. I wouldn't drink this stuff if you paid me to. To each their own- Cheers

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yeah I've never had an imperial before, but this stuff is gross. Even a 4loco or Steel Reserve(have excederine on hand for that poison) tastes better halfway through. Like Marmite and Vegamite, assuming this must be an acquired taste. I wouldn't drink this stuff if you paid me too. To each their own- Cheers

I am a lover of Imperial Stouts! (Before the latest Ukraine war, that style was named RIS for Russian Imperial Stout. The historical reason is a Russian Tsar loved that strong ale. Now, it is just an IS, Imperial Stout).

I have tried many Imperial Stouts. Some from the United States, some British, a lot of brewed in Poland. Imperial Stouts can be extremely strong (such as 11, 12, 13, and in one case 16% abv). They are the richest ales known if we are talking flavour. I will probably never be able to get the Dragon's Milk but two America's finest I know are "Speedway Stout" by AleSmith and "More than Jesus" (and similar) from EvilTwin Brewing.

EvilTwin variation on the "Jesus" theme...

AleSmith "Speedway Stout"

Now, @February: If you think Imperial Stout is weird, give the American Barley Wine a try! That's the strongest and richest Pale Ale known!