Dry January: A sobering perspective on safe choices

Dry January is officially here! The commitment to avoid alcohol for the first month of the year is a common New Year’s resolution. Like many people across the country, many Coloradans participate. And some of them choose cannabis as an alternative to alcohol.

While cannabis is legal in Colorado, responsible consumption is important if you plan to get behind the wheel. Driving under the influence is never safe, no matter the impairing substance. Colorado DUI law states it is illegal to drive if you are impaired to any degree by cannabis. Colorado law enforcement officers are specially trained to detect cannabis impairment.

As safety advocates, we want to remind you to think about safety. What happens when you mix cannabis and alcohol? If you are drinking, smoking, or doing both, please follow these tips. They will help everyone on Colorado roads get home safely.

Enjoy Time at Home:

With the holidays officially behind us, we can all admit we need some downtime. If you decide to use cannabis instead of alcohol this Dry January, stay home and stay safe. If you’re not celebrating and want to use both, that’s okay too. But please remember: if you feel different, you drive different!

Plan Ahead:

Maybe you don’t want downtime at home. But if you do plan to partake and head out on the town, plan a safe and sober ride home. Call a friend, book a rideshare or use public transit options to avoid driving impaired. And "waiting it out" isn't a good option. The impairing effects of cannabis can last up to eight hours. A designated driver should be sober, not just the "most sober."

Know the Effects of Driving High:

Cannabis impacts both behavioral and physiological functions in your body (even if you're microdosing). Consumption of cannabis products impact your driving
performance, such as:

• Lack of concentration, decision-making abilities and problem solving.
• Decreased ability to perform divided attention tasks (such as changing lanes or braking for sudden traffic).
• Altered perception of time and distance.
• Relaxed inhibitions.
• Slowed reaction time.

Also, know how different cannabinoids affect you. Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, CBD, CBN, CBG and others are all available in Colorado. Even if you're not purchasing products in a dispensary, there's still a chance they can affect your ability to drive.

Know the Impacts:

Driving under the influence of cannabis puts you, your loved ones and other roadway users at risk. In 2024, 199 roadway fatalities in Colorado involved impaired driving.

A cannabis DUI can be costlier than you think. DUIs are costlier than you think. The average cost of a DUI in Colorado can reach or exceed $13,500. Play it safe and leave the driving to the sober.

While it's not uncommon to trade cannabis for alcohol during Dry January, being safe is what matters most. Remember, whether you’re drinking or using cannabis, it's never OK or legal to drive if you’re impaired. Make a plan. Make smart choices, and keep your 2025 on track.

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