Bill Fails to Pass Senate for Second Consecutive Year
The lack of a single “Yes” vote in the Colorado legislature prevented a bill from
overcoming a 17-17 tie, which would have established blood limit for drivers in
the state. The absence of Senator Nancy Spence is thought to have been the
deciding factor in the bills failure. The current law regarding convictions of
drugged driving is based on officer examination.
The bill, which had been approved by the house, would have
limited drivers to 5 nanograms of THC per millimeter of blood. Proponents of
the bill asserted the fact that Colorado
has seen arrest rates inflate for drivers who are under the influence of drugs,
in addition to presenting data from the National Highway Safety Administration
which show that drivers involved in fatal accidents are more likely to test
positive for marijuana. Spence, who was at one time an opponent of similar
prior bills, supported the proposal but was
Those opposing the bill argued that the blood limit for
marijuana is not a uniform method to examine a driver’s level of intoxication.
In addition, the opponents presented findings on Colorado drugged driving which indicate that
over 90% of criminal cases involving driving while under the influence of drugs
end in conviction.
The bill appeared to be heading for passage (much like its predecessors), with Gov. John Hickenlooper stating his support for the bill, but Spence's trip to San Diego to visit her son prevented the signing. Spence indicated that her trip was planned well before the special legislative session, and she appeared to express genuine remorse for her absence.
"I assumed it wouldn't be brought up until tomorrow morning," Spence lamented. "I'm just so, so sorry and so disappointed" She added. "I feel terrible for Steve King, who worked so hard to get that bill passed." King was the sponsor of the bill.
The bill appeared to be heading for passage (much like its predecessors), with Gov. John Hickenlooper stating his support for the bill, but Spence's trip to San Diego to visit her son prevented the signing. Spence indicated that her trip was planned well before the special legislative session, and she appeared to express genuine remorse for her absence.
"I assumed it wouldn't be brought up until tomorrow morning," Spence lamented. "I'm just so, so sorry and so disappointed" She added. "I feel terrible for Steve King, who worked so hard to get that bill passed." King was the sponsor of the bill.
Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is illegal in all
50 states, though some states have considerably harsher penalties. Some states,
including Arizona , Rhode
Island , and Michigan
have enacted a zero tolerance policy for driving with any illegal substance.
Law enforcement advocates and proponents of the bill have firmly
voiced their steadfast dedication to the passage of driving limits for
marijuana.
“Folks don’t know what they’re taking. It’s like a doctor
offering a bowl of drugs and saying ‘reach in, take what you think you need and
go ahead and drive.’ We’ve got to get a handle on this” said Tom Raynes of the
Colorado District Attorneys Council. Raynes also noted that medical marijuana
is not dosed equivalently, has a high potential risk for abuse.
If you are injured in a car accident in the greater Denver area, please call the Law Offices of Robert Paysinger at (303) 279-0221 for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - It's all we do!
No comments:
Post a Comment