(WA) WSP stepping up patrols for drivers high on pot

[Jesus Malverde]

The Washington State Patrol is requiring troopers to complete training in “Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.” The training is part of a course to help troopers spot people driving while high on marijuana.
In Washington, driving under the influence is no longer just about alcohol. The legalization of marijuana has added a new dimension to patrols.

Troopers use a 5 nano-gram basis, much like the .08 level for alcohol, to determine if a person is driving while high on pot.

“This became a law in Washington, We're going to monitor it, we're going to pay attention to it and if some adjustments need to be made in the way we do business, then we're going to make the adjustments,” said Sgt. Jason Hicks of the WSP.

So far, adjustments seem to be needed. In 2012 there were 5,298 samples tested from drivers pulled-over in Washington, and 988 of them came back positive for marijuana.

In just the first 6 months of 2013, 2,739 samples were taken, and 745 have tested positive. If that trend continues, driving high will increase more than 33 percent this year.

“So marijuana is all about impairment," Hicks said. "That's just what runs the show.”

http://www.kgw.com/news/local/WSP-stepping-up-patrols-for-drivers-high-on-pot-231838241.html

Terrible add on to last years legalization.