Drugged Driving | Meet the Effects
Meet The Weed Effects
THC is proven to slow reaction time, reduce focus, and temporarily weaken problem solving skills. Consuming THC affects you differently than alcohol, but it impairs driving ability all the same. CDOT’s Meet The Effects Campaign is committed to raising awareness of the dangers of driving high. When someone is high behind the wheel, the chances of a crash are doubled, and the chances of a DUI are even higher. The average cost of a DUI is $13,500 for alcohol and drugs. Keep your high harmless and off the road.
Featured News
Can I get a DUI for driving high?
We all know the consequences and dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, but do the same rules apply to driving high? Many cannabis consumers feel calmer and more focused after they smoke or take an edible, so that means it’s safe and legal to get behind the wheel, right? Let’s take a closer look.
Find out more in the Can I get a DUI for driving high article.
How to get your license back after a DUI
Just as with an alcohol-related DUI, getting your Colorado driver’s license back after a cannabis-related DUI isn’t just a matter of waiting it out — it’s a structured, lengthy and expensive process aimed at ensuring your return to driving is a safe and sober one. Colorado takes cannabis impairment behind the wheel seriously because impairment is impairment, no matter the substance.
Learn more in the How to get your license back after a DUI.
Women Speak Out for Marijuana Safety and Education
Women are at the forefront of Colorado's maturing cannabis industry, taking on roles as budtenders, dispensary owners, entrepreneurs and advocates for responsible consumption. These women are not only shaping the future of cannabis but also driving a crucial conversation about responsible consumption and safety.
Find out more in the Women. Cars. Cannabis. article.
Dry January: Staying sober still means safe choices
Partaking in Dry January this month? If you’re swapping the booze for bud, remember that driving under the influence of marijuana is never safe. Whether or not you’re starting 2025 sober, always keep it safe.
Check out the smart choices you can make in our Dry January article.
Beyond CBD: Understanding Different Cannabinoids
The curiosity surrounding cannabis and its various compounds continues to grow. From the well-known THC and CBD to the emerging minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN, users are increasingly eager to understand the spectrum of psychoactive and non-psychoactive compounds.
Read the full Beyond CBD: Understanding Different Cannabinoids article here.
CDOT's Safety Guide for 420 Celebrations
Whether you’re attending 420 on the Rocks, The Mile High 420 Festival or just hanging out with friends, make sure your April 20 plans include a sober ride home. While cannabis consumption is legal in Colorado, driving high is not — any amount of impairment puts you at risk for a DUI.
As heavy cannabis consumption coincides with cannabis-inspired events, CDOT is offering important planning and safety tips to consumers.
For more about on CDOT's Safety Guide for 420 Celebrations, click here.
Teens wonder, "How do cops know I'm driving high?"
Getting a driver license for the first time is a major milestone, and it means knowing what you can’t do while you’re behind the wheel, like driving high. CDOT is working with driving schools around Colorado, the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other agencies to provide early education and understanding about what happens if you drive after using marijuana.
Driving High versus Driving Drunk
While driving high isn't identical to driving drunk, there are undeniable similarities between the two. Both alcohol and marijuana impact your ability to drive safely. Driving drunk may be more prevalent, but driving high is still dangerous and illegal — and the effects of each substance present major risks on Colorado's roads. In 2023 alone, there were 227 impaired driving deaths in Colorado, representing nearly 32% of all road fatalities in the state.
