ARE THE DRUGGED DRIVING LAWS UNFAIR???

To The Editor:

RE: Drugged Driving Laws

Imagine this scenario: Someone is driving around, stoned on
tranquilizers, painkillers, cold-medications, or some combination thereof.

The driver gets pulled over and appears - to the police officer -
to be visibly "impaired." The driver blows zero for alcohol, and his
urine and blood samples test negative for illegal drugs. That driver
is free to go and repeat the offence.

But if the driver tests positive for even trace amounts of marijuana
- - which may show up in the body for up to three months after the
last puff, or because of second hand smoke - they will be booked for
"impaired driving."

Clearly, these new "drugged driving" legislations that are showing up
in communities across the country are designed specifically to profile
marijuana users.

They ignore the dangers of other impairment factors such as; a coffee
or cigarette or cell phone in hand, rowdy pets and passengers, booming
stereos, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications,
blood-sugar-imbalances, fatigue, inexperience, bad driving habits,
old-age, and just plain old stupidity.

To focus on any one thing is arbitrary and discriminatory - and that
is exactly what these new laws are doing. It won't matter if the
driver is tripling their dose of a prescription medication, but if
marijuana shows up in your blood, you are considered guilty until
proven innocent.

So much for Canada being a "just society."

Russell Barth, Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder, Former
Federal Marijuana Party Candidate, Ottawa, ON