If Marijuana Is Legal – How Can I Get A DUI For It?
Both medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal in Nevada, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t regulated. Whether you’re in Las Vegas or another area of the state, it’s a crime to drive under the following conditions:
- Ingesting marijuana (in any form) to the extent it makes you incapable of safely operating your vehicle
OR
- A driver’s blood contains 2 nanograms/ml of marijauana or 5 nanograms/ml of marijauana metabolite (also called a “Per Se” DUI)
It’s important to note that you can be convicted of a DUI with marijuana even if you don’t feel “high” at the time of arrest or show clear signs of intoxication.
So long as the results of your DUI blood test shows you had an illegal amount of marijuana in your system while driving, you can be convicted.
What You Can Expect During DUI With Marijuana Stop
The police must have probable cause to initiate a traffic stop. Potential reasons for a stop could include erratic driving, breaking traffic laws, etc. Once the officer pulls the driver over, he or she will ask a series of questions while observing the driver’s body language.
If they feel it’s necessary, they’ll request the driver take a sobriety field test and/or a preliminary breath test (PBT). If the preliminary breath test is passed, a police officer may still suspect a driver of a DUI with marijuana or some other substance if:
- The driver fails the field sobriety test
- A police officer smells marijuana
- The driver exhibits signs of being “high” (i.e., low eyelids, slowed speech, dilated pupils, etc.)
In some cases, an officer with a specialization in drug recognition evaluation training may arrive at the scene to investigate potential signs of drug use. If you’re suspected of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), the police will arrest you and take you to the police station for a DUI blood draw.
Penalties For DUI With Marijuana In Nevada
Penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana are generally the same as penalties for DUI with alcohol. Penalties for a first-time DUI with marijuana (within the previous seven years) can include:
- 2-days to 6-months jail time or 24-96 hours of court-ordered community service
- Mandatory attendance to Nevada DUI school and Victim Impact Panel
- Fines ranging from $400 – $1000
- At least 90-day license suspension
Penalties for subsequent DUI convictions are more severe and costly. That’s especially true for felony DUI cases.
A DUI conviction for marijuana can affect your life for years to come. It’s essential to consult with a highly rated and well-trusted Nevada DUI with marijuana lawyer to give yourself the best chance of receiving the least amount of penalties possible under the circumstances.
Contact The Vegas Lawyers Today – We Can Help
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs in Las Vegas or the surrounding areas, we can help. The Vegas Lawyers have built a strong reputation across Nevada as one of the best DUI lawyers by rolling up our sleeves and getting to work for our clients.