More than 75 percent of Americans said that there should be a roadside sobriety test for law enforcement to use on drivers suspected of marijuana use, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association ("APCIA").
Furthermore, more than eight in 10 said that they want policymakers to establish an intoxication standard for driving under the influence of marijuana.
"We need more public education and awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana. And we need more research to develop an objective method of roadside testing. Simply put, without more research, no one can say with precision how high is too high to drive," said Jessica Hanna, the APCIA's senior vice president of public affairs.
The APCIA pointed out that there currently are no standardized methods of measuring marijuana impairment, such as a breathalyzer, in part because impairment can vary significantly based on potency, tolerance, and how it is ingested.
The poll found that an overwhelming majority of Americans (77 percent) said that they want federal and state policymakers to work together to address the dangers of marijuana impairment to keep roads safe. Similarly, 72 percent said that they support additional federal funds specifically dedicated to researching the development of an intoxication standard.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].