Washington’s Increase in Marijuana Impaired Fatality Accidents After Legalization

Washington’s Increase in DUI Fatalities: How Many Fatalities Before Legalization Proponents Acknowledge the Consequences of Legalization? – In Washington after marijuana legalization, the number of drivers with active THC in their blood involved in a fatal accidents has increased 122.2%.

The Experience of the Spokane Valley Police Department: The following paragraphs appear in a HIDTA report regarding the experience of just one department…

“The number of marijuana-related DUIs has been increasing since the department’s data collection began. In 2012, there were a total of eight marijuana-related DUIs as compared to forty in 2014 – a 400% increase. Marijuana-only DUIs have also been on the rise since 2012. These are DUIs for which marijuana was confirmed to be the only active drug in the driver’s system. From 2012 to 2014 the department noted a 460% increase. Youth marijuana DUIs have been growing exponentially. In 2012, Spokane Valley only had one youth test confirmed for active THC. In 2014, the number was eighteen – a 1700% increase in three years. In 2014, youth accounted for 64% of all confirmed marijuana DUI cases in Spokane Valley.”

Other States: Washington is not an anomaly - Oregon and Colorado have their own similar experience. Here the the Washington Report - it is alarming to say the least.