Cocktails and Cannabis: Colorado’s Ultimate Holiday Guide

With family gatherings, work parties and special nights out with friends, the holidays can be a time of indulgence. Coloradans and tourists alike enjoy seasonal treats like eggnog, holiday cocktails and maybe even a little cannabis. No matter how you celebrate, we at CDOT want you to get home safe this holiday season. There are a few important things to know about combining marijuana and alcohol. So light the fire, sit back, and read on to learn how to avoid common mistakes when it comes to driving high in Colorado.

Potency and tolerance are tricky         

Edibles, tinctures, flower, dabs, topicals … the list goes on! While any product in Colorado with THC has potency on the label, the way you consume and the brand of product can affect your high’s duration and intensity — especially if you’re only an occasional user.

Your sleep, what you’ve eaten and other factors also affect how impaired you become. So, don’t assume you’re good to drive even if you think you have a high tolerance or are conscientious about your dosing. Why take the risk? Find a sober ride instead.

We also have more and more cannabinoid products on the market every day — including (but not limited to) CBD, CBG and CBN. Some of these products aren’t psychoactive. Some are. Read Beyond CBD: Understanding Different Cannabinoids before you get behind the whee to know how different cannabinoids can affect you.

Use the tools at hand

Have you heard of personal smartphone breathalyzers? Well, they’re a thing! We worked with BACtrack for years with our The Heat Is On campaign. Learn more about The Heat Is On campaign on our Impaired Driving webpage.

BACtrack pairs to your phone with Bluetooth and uses the same tech as the breathalyzers law enforcement uses. It's helpful to know your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when you’re drinking.

But if you’re combining alcohol with THC, you may be too impaired to drive — even if you’re under the legal limit. Cannabis amplifies the impairing effects of alcohol, and you could still be at risk for a DUI.

Just say no

And no, that’s not what we mean. Just say no to that 900th holiday party invite. Instead, take the chance to relax and enjoy a drink or joint at home. Then you don’t have to worry about driving at all.

Choose a side, any side

Both alcohol and cannabis impact your ability to drive safely. Driving drunk may be more prevalent, but driving high is still dangerous and illegal — and the effects of cannabis present major risks on Colorado's roads.

Cannabis can affect your reaction time, judgment, and your ability to stay in your lane. And studies have shown that combining the two can lead to an increase in risky driving behaviors overall. Read AAA’s Risky Driving Behaviors of Drivers Who Use Alcohol and Marijuana article to learn more.

So, maybe just go with one or the other. Either way, we still recommend you always find a sober ride to your festive destination.

Timing is everything (or nothing)

Your body breaks down alcohol at a steady rate. This means you can estimate when you’ll be sober enough to drive home. It’s not the same for THC. Your body metabolizes THC at an unpredictable rate. So, remember our earlier point about why you should avoid taking risks.

If you’ve been consuming alcohol or cannabis, do not get behind the wheel. There were 53 fatalities on Colorado roads last December alone, 15 of which involved a suspected impaired driver. Don’t chance it — put down the keys.

Our How long should I wait to drive after getting high? article has tips and guidelines on safe driving after cannabis use. For instance, it could take up to eight hours for the impairing effects of cannabis to wear off — for edibles in particular. So, “waiting it out” isn't a great strategy. If you must travel, use a rideshare service, taxi, designated driver or public transit.

How much do you really know about cannabis and driving?

Cannabis is an amazing plant. However, many people still have much to learn about it. This includes Sativa, Indica and everything in between. It is especially important to understand the laws, science, history and effects of the plant on the body. Think you know it all? Take CDOT’s Cannabis Knowledge and Safety Quiz to find out.

Really want to become an expert? We have teamed up with Learn Brands, an online platform for budtender education. Our goal is to teach budtenders, and any driver, as much as possible to help more people make good decisions. Read the Want to know more about cannabis and driving? Ask your budtender article for more information.

What’s the best way to save money this holiday season?

Hint: It involves not having to spend more than $13,000 on a DUI. That’s how much it can cost with all the associated fines, legal fees and more. Whether it’s alcohol, cannabis or a combination of both, DUIs have more than just a human cost. Learn more on the ​​DUIs are costlier than you think. Here’s the breakdown webpage.

Protect who you love

Of course, the most important things in the world to you are likely your friends, family and health. This holiday season, CDOT, prevention groups and law enforcement are working hard to keep Coloradans safe. We want to educate and protect you from serious injury or death caused by impaired driving.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe. This holiday season, please choose to never drive under the influence of alcohol or cannabis. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

For more tips on staying safe, check out the Cannabis and Driving Education Resources webpage.