Know Your Rights: Michigan Marijuana Impairment Laws

Citizens of Michigan voted for the legalization of marijuana in 2018, but recent changes and updates have created a lot of understandable confusion about the details of the law. Though recreational and medical marijuana is now legal for adults over the age of 21, there are still some gray areas regarding marijuana and impaired driving. 

It’s important to know your rights. Whether you’ve recently received a ticket for marijuana impairment or you simply want to understand more about the law, the expert team at The Law Offices of Raymond Cassar is here to answer your questions.

What Does Michigan Law Say About Driving and Marijuana?

Michigan law strictly prohibits driving under the influence of marijuana, consuming marijuana while driving, and smoking marijuana inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle on a public road. These rules apply to both recreational and medical marijuana users. Additionally, smoking marijuana within the passenger area of a vehicle on a public way is strictly prohibited.

Adults aged 21 and over may legally possess and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana (or 0.53 ounces of concentrates) in their vehicle. However, the marijuana must be kept in a sealed container or secured in the trunk, and consumption while driving remains illegal.

Drivers are not allowed to consume or smoke marijuana while operating a vehicle, and passengers cannot smoke marijuana inside the passenger area of a moving vehicle. Individuals cannot operate a vehicle while impaired by marijuana, as this is treated similarly to operating while intoxicated with alcohol.

Registered medical marijuana patients have certain protections. Under Michigan law, medical marijuana users may drive with marijuana in their system as long as they are not impaired. The Michigan Supreme Court’s decision in People v. Koon confirms that the zero-tolerance rule for THC does not apply to registered patients who are not under the influence.

Recreational users, however, are subject to a zero-tolerance policy. Any detectable amount of THC in the system could lead to criminal charges, even without proof of impairment.

A first offense for driving under the influence of marijuana can result in penalties including up to 93 days in jail, fines up to $500, points on the driver’s license, and suspension of driving privileges.

How much weed is legal to drive with in Michigan?

In Michigan, adults 21 and over may legally transport up to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of marijuana or up to 0.53 ounces (15 grams) of marijuana concentrate in their vehicle, as long as it is stored in a sealed container or kept in the trunk. Consumption while driving remains strictly prohibited.

Marijuana Impairment and Driving Risks

Marijuana impairment can significantly affect your ability to drive safely, and it’s essential to understand the risks involved. Driving under the influence of marijuana can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. The risks of marijuana impairment are similar to those of alcohol, and it’s crucial to understand the differences.

Marijuana can affect your reaction time, judgment, and coordination, making it challenging to drive safely. The effects of marijuana can last for several hours, so it’s essential to wait until you’re sober before getting behind the wheel. Impairment can be detected through field sobriety tests and chemical tests, and it’s crucial to understand the laws and regulations surrounding these tests.

Driving under the influence of marijuana is a serious offense, and the penalties can be severe. Understanding the laws and regulations surrounding marijuana impairment and driving risks is vital to avoid legal trouble and ensure your safety on the road.

How Do Officers Determine Marijuana Impairment?

This is where the gray area begins. Clearly, if officers catch you actively consuming marijuana while operating a motor vehicle, that would constitute impairment. However, there is currently no reliable equivalent to a breathalyzer that can determine how impaired you are.

Increasingly, Michigan police officers are being trained as or working alongside Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). As they attempt to detect and evaluate signs of marijuana impairment, a great deal is left up to their own discretion. 

You have the right to politely refuse a field sobriety test in the state of Michigan. However, if you are arrested, refusing to take a breath, blood, or urine test at the station can come with some serious consequences, up to a one-year mandatory license suspension. Officers at this point may obtain a warrant to draw your blood.

Is There a Legal Limit for Marijuana in Michigan?

Currently, Michigan has a zero-tolerance policy for driving with any amount of THC in your system. Registered medical marijuana users have some protection here. They can drive with THC in their systems, but even still, if an officer thinks they are actively operating while intoxicated (OWI), this could change. 

Absorption rates of marijuana into the bloodstream vary widely among individuals. Sometimes, marijuana is detectable in the system weeks after it was ingested, meaning that the driver is not impaired at all. 

In Michigan, anyone driving on public roadways is considered to have given consent to chemical tests of their blood, breath, or urine. This is known as implied consent law.

How Can Marijuana DUIs Be Proved?

Marijuana impairment cases can be handled in two ways: you can be charged with impaired driving or operating while intoxicated (OWI). Impaired driving is the less severe offense. If convicted, you may be restricted from driving for up to 90 days. OWI can come with a full driver’s license suspension and possible jail time.

In either case, to prove that you were driving under the influence, prosecutors must show beyond a doubt that marijuana significantly decreased your ability to drive. Prosecutors will often rely on the testimony of the arresting officer and/or DRE, citing their personal observations, as well as the results of blood tests. 

What Should I Do If I’m Facing Marijuana Impairment Charges?

You should call an experienced defense attorney straight away if you have been charged with marijuana impairment. You should also seek counsel if you took any DUI tests for marijuana impairment, including field sobriety tests, implied consent tests, or blood samples. 

The experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Raymond Cassar know Michigan’s marijuana laws—new as they are—inside and out. We will carefully review your case and provide you with expert legal defense. Don’t delay! Call us to discuss your case today.

Legal Defense for Marijuana Impairment in Michigan

If you are facing charges related to marijuana impairment in Farmington Hills or the Metro Detroit area, let us help you protect your freedom and reputation. Schedule your consultation today by giving us a call today or contacting us online.