Kiro has done an interesting video on Marijuana and DUI. Many people believe the legal limit for Marijuana is far too low; some of the driving in this test performed by the news crew seems to suggest that might be true. Here's a link to the full article and the video:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/18/stoned-drivers-test-course-marijuana-dui_n_2711358.html
Gov. Jay Inslee said the state was taking an important step in strengthening laws to protect people.
"No law can bring these loved ones back," said Inslee, who also was joined by lawmakers and law enforcement officials. "But we must move forward in preventing even more loss of life on our roads."
The Washington State Patrol said there are about 40,000 DUI arrests a year, with half made by the patrol and others by local law enforcement.
Under the new law, a driver suspected of a second impaired driving offense faces mandatory arrest and will have an interlock device installed on their vehicle within five days of being charged.
Here is the link to the complete article:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gov-Inslee-signs-measure-to-toughen-states-DUI-law-216027811.html
The new law makes it legal for adults to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, but illegal for that same adult to drive if the THC content of his blood reaches 5 nanograms per milliliter.
Steve Sarich, who uses medical marijuana for back pain, says he wakes up at four to five times the legal limit. Six weeks ago, he said that if the legalization initiative passed — along with the new DUI standard — he'd either have to hire a driver, or leave Washington.
See full article here: http://www.npr.org/2012/12/05/166531388/pots-legal-in-washington-state-but-dont-drive-high
Tyler McNeely was pulled over late at night after a state trooper observed him driving erratically. When McNeely refused to take a Breathalyzer test, the officer drove him to a local hospital and ordered blood drawn for an alcohol test. The officer did not seek a warrant, even though he had done so in previous cases. The state of Missouri contended that because alcohol naturally dissipates in the bloodstream, each passing moment means valuable evidence is being lost, and so a warrant is never required for a blood draw.
The Supreme Court disagreed, noting that in most circumstances there is adequate time to get a warrant. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the majority, said that in the modern world of technology, police can often obtain a warrant quickly by using their cellphones or by email, and that in most jurisdictions a magistrate is available at all hours to grant a warrant request.
See full article here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/17/177666177/supreme-court-backs-warrants-for-blood-tests-in-dui-cases