With cannabis legalization coming, remember: Driving high is a DWI
July 27, 2023
DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson reminds Minnesotans during a media event to consume cannabis responsibly.Most of us know you can't have an open bottle of booze out while you're driving. But do you know the rules for cannabis?
With the legalization of cannabis products coming Aug. 1, Minnesotans have questions about what the change will mean for them. Here at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), we've got answers, especially when it comes to keeping your loved ones safe on our roads.
The Minnesota State Patrol and our Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) worked together with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to get you the information you need to use cannabis responsibly. Our drugged driving
FAQ reference sheet is on our website to make sure you have up-to-date information at your fingertips. The most important thing to remember: Driving high is a DWI.
“If you feel different, you drive different," DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. “If you choose to use cannabis, please do so responsibly. Never get behind the wheel after using drugs and alcohol."
Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, added that just like with alcohol, anyone opting to consume cannabis needs to plan a safe and sober ride.
“Impaired is impaired on the road, regardless of the substance, and the effects can be tragic for everyone else on the road," Langer said. “Our focus is on impaired driving … and keeping Minnesotans safe by enforcing the law."
Driving high can have dire consequences. Not only are you risking a crash that could kill or seriously injure someone, but you also could get arrested for driving while impaired (DWI).
That's true not only for when you're driving down the road, but also when you're enjoying boating, snowmobiles or other off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The penalties associated with operating a motor vehicle under the influence apply the same to operating a boat, OHV or snowmobile under the influence. People convicted of operating any of them while impaired lose their privilege to operate all of them.
Just like how drinking alcohol in a vehicle is illegal, it's very important to remember that while in a vehicle, it's illegal for:
- Drivers or passengers to open any cannabis packaging, use marijuana or consume other cannabis products.
- Drivers or passengers to have an unsealed container of marijuana (for example, 2 ounces in a zip-close bag). Similar to alcohol, the exception is an unsealed container or other opened products may be kept in the trunk of a car or another area not accessible by the driver or passengers.
- The driver to be impaired by marijuana or other cannabis products.
Violating any of those rules can lead to you being charged with a traffic offense. Always plan ahead for a safe and sober ride if you're going to use marijuana or consume cannabis products. Check out our
FAQ to learn more about how you can stay safe and legal on the road in Minnesota if you're a cannabis consumer.
