Of course, the legalization of recreational marijuana has helped many individuals to explore their newfound freedom. They no longer have to depend on unreliable sources or visit risky places to get their “stuff”. Everyone can legally purchase and enjoy cannabis products in Canada. Mississauga has also been witnessing a steady rise in marijuana consumption across various age groups. Young adults are making the most of this recreational cannabis availability. However, the sudden increase has led to a critical aspect, overlooking the rules of the road.
It does not need to be told, cannabis and driving aren’t the best combination under Canadian law. Still, many motorists in Mississauga are found guilty of doing so. One of the reasons being the convenience of visiting any trusted website and place order for their favorite stuff. Most of them unknowingly break the regulations and face serious consequences. Thus, if you are a daily cannabis user, or an occasional smoker, and a resident of Mississauga, read on. This guide will familiarize you with the risks and laws related to marijuana-induced driving in the city of Mississauga.
Know the law about driving and weed
As stated in the Cannabis Act and Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, it is strictly illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis. Here, the rules are similar to those of alcohol-related offences. Of course, the rules are made for valid reasons. Cannabis (recreational ones) can impair your coordination, reduce reaction time, and altogether jeopardize your decision-making abilities. Here are the legal limits you should know:
- 2 to 5 nanograms (ng) of THC per ml of blood is deemed a lower-level offence.
- 5 ng or more is deemed a more serious offence.
- A combo of THC (more than 2.5 ng) and alcohol (50mg or more) was again deemed to be a high-level offence.
Therefore, even if you consider things to be “manageable” after consuming marijuana, but you are categorized in one of these limits when pulled over by the traffic guards, you can lead to serious legal trouble.
Common mistakes motorists in Mississauga are making
The lawmakers and authorities concerned have organized various public awareness campaigns, but many people fail to realize them. As a result, they get entrapped in legal traps due to their lack of awareness. Here are some vital mistakes people make:
- People assume edibles are okay: A majority of the first-time users are of the impression that edibles are a safer way to consume marijuana. Thus, they do not hesitate to drive after consuming it. The truth is, edibles do take longer to initiate their effects, but the aura remains longer in the system. Thus, you might consider yourself fit and fine after an hour of consuming an edible, but your THC levels would remain way above the legal limit.
- Driving after smoking: The lawmakers don’t distinguish between regular and first-time users. Thus, even if you think, being a pro, you can drive after taking a puff, you are headed for trouble. The law recommends waiting for at least 6 hours after smoking or vaping marijuana before handling the steering erring, and for edibles, the time to wait is even longer, i.e., up to 12 hours.
- Keeping weed with you: After legalization, there isn’t any harm if you possess cannabis while driving, but the catch is that it must be sealed and well out of reach, quite similar to alcohol. If the lawmakers locate weed in the car, it can result in fines or charges for careless storage.
Legal consequences of cannabis-induced driving in Mississauga
Well, if you get caught while driving after consuming marijuana, it can ruin your life as the consequences are pretty serious, and they are as follows:
- Fines up to $100 for first-timer offenders.
- Suspension of license from 3 days to indefinite, depending on the severity of consumption.
- Police can forfeit the vehicle.
- The person can be imposed with criminal charges for higher THC levels or repeated offences.
- The person may also be penalized by having to pay higher insurance premiums for the vehicle.
- To make matters worse, if someone causes an accident in such conditions, the individual, for sure, would be put behind bars.
What about medical marijuana users?
Of course, several people in Mississauga take marijuana to overcome their chronic illnesses. Still, the person is not exempted from the abovementioned driving laws. Just like any other prescription drug, if the dosage you are taking leads to impairing your ability to drive safely, you are prone to the same legal consequences as a recreational user. Carrying medical documentation, too, won’t save the person, as they would be asked why they did not plan for an alternative mode of transportation.
Public perception is vastly different from reality
As mentioned before, there is a growing misconception among people that driving under the influence of weed is not an offence, especially when compared to alcohol. The grim picture is evident from the data of Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, which shows that cannabis-induced driving is fast becoming one of the major causes of mishaps, primarily involving young adults. It is understandable, as in a city like Mississauga, which is buzzing with traffic and high pedestrian activity, accidents can happen anytime when people drive under the influence of marijuana.
Tips to stay safe after consuming marijuana
If you consume weed and need transportation to go places, then look for a clean driver. Alternatively, you can also consider using public transportation. Lastly, you can wait for the recommended time limit, as mentioned earlier, before hitting the road.
