At No DUI NoCo, our mission is to prevent impaired driving and save lives. While many young people are increasingly aware of the dangers of drunk driving, cannabis-impaired driving is often misunderstood – and just as dangerous.
Misconceptions can create a false sense of safety, leading to risky decisions behind the wheel. Here are some of the most common myths we hear:
Misconception #1: Cannabis doesn’t affect my driving/makes my driving better.
While cannabis may make you feel calmer, it also slows reaction time, reduces coordination, and impairs judgment. Driving requires split-second decisions – something cannabis directly interferes with.
Numerous independent studies have shown cannabis impairs critical abilities needed to drive safely, including (CDOT):
- Slowed reaction time
- Difficulties in road-tracking and lane-position variability
- Decreased divided attention
- Impaired cognitive performance
- Relaxed inhibitions
- Impaired executive functions, including route planning, decision making, and risk taking, or a combination of all
A 2022 study found differences in driving scores between sober drivers and those who had consumed marijuana even 3.5 hours post-consumption. University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University have both studied the effects of cannabis use on driving.
Misconception #2: Driving high is safer than driving drunk.
This is a dangerous comparison. Both alcohol and cannabis impair your ability to drive safely, just in different ways. Cannabis use is linked to lane weaving, slower reaction to traffic signals, and poor distance judgment – all of which can cause crashes. Here are the stats:
- Marijuana users were about 25% more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers with no evidence of marijuana use (CDC).
- Of seriously injured drivers admitted to trauma centers, more than 1 out of 4 tested positive for marijuana (MADD).
- 18% of Colorado marijuana users reported driving 2-3 hours after consumption. But participants in a 2022 cannabis impairment study had lowered driving scores even 3.5 hours post-consumption.
- 53 regular cannabis users participated in a 2024 simulated driving study; they spent more time at speeds significantly below the speed limit than alcohol-impaired or sober drivers (Traffic Injury Prevention, Vol. 26 #1).
Misconception #3: I’m a regular user/cannabis doesn’t affect me the way it affects other people.
Tolerance doesn’t erase impairment. Long-time users may feel less “high,” but THC still impacts reaction time and decision-making. Overconfidence can make experienced users even riskier drivers.
Read more about How High is Too High to Drive.
Misconception #4: Driving after consuming edibles is safer than driving after smoking.
Edibles often have delayed and longer-lasting effects, which can catch drivers off guard. You might think you’re fine to drive, but THC could peak in your system while you’re on the road.
Misconception #5: Other people drive high all the time.
A CDOT survey found that the majority of Coloradans (91%) agree that driving high is dangerous and choose to never drive under the influence of cannabis. Only 9% of Colorado drivers agreed that driving under the influence of cannabis was safe. Unfortunately, young drivers were more than twice as likely to believe they could drive safely under the influence of cannabis than older drivers.
Misconception #6: Police can’t tell if I’m high.
Colorado law enforcement officers are trained in the detection of impairment of alcohol and drugs, and many are specially trained Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). These officers can detect physical and psychophysical signs of drug impairment. There are currently 226 active DREs representing 79 law enforcement agencies across the state, including 62 with the Colorado State Patrol.
Law enforcement officers are trained to spot cannabis impairment through behavior, appearance, and performance on roadside tests. Any of the following factors can lead to an arrest:
- Observed impairment of the vehicle operator
- Initial traffic offense for which the driver is stopped
- The driver’s reaction to an officer’s command to stop
- The driver’s action while exiting the vehicle
- Performance during roadside standard field sobriety testing
- Results of any approved roadside testing device
Misconception #7: I can’t get a DUI for driving under the influence of cannabis.
In Colorado, driving under the influence of cannabis carries the same consequences as driving under the influence of alcohol. Use of both substances is legal – driving after consuming them is not.
According to the law, if a person’s ability to operate a vehicle is affected “to the slightest degree” by alcohol or other substances, they can be arrested for a DUI.
The average cost of a first-time DUI or DWAI in Colorado is now over $13,500. And that’s just if you don’t cause any damage or harm to others. The hidden costs of a DUI are even further-reaching, including employment consequences, a criminal record, ongoing increased expenses, limited career opportunities, and personal and mental health costs.
Misconception #8: I can avoid the consequences of driving under the influence of cannabis if I refuse a blood test.
According to Colorado’s Express Consent Law, if you’re arrested for a DUI, you’ve already agreed to chemical testing. That’s part of the deal when you obtain a license. Refusing a blood test often means more consequences, including:
- Immediate license suspension
- Ignition interlock for 2 years
- DUI treatment requirements
- Labeled as a Persistent Drunk Driver (PDD)
- Higher insurance costs
- Additional consequences in court for refusal
In addition, Colorado law states that if a person’s ability to operate a vehicle is affected “to the slightest degree” by alcohol or other substances, they can be arrested for a DUI. That means you can be convicted of a DUI regardless of the level of Delta 9 THC in your blood if an officer observes and documents any degree of impairment.
As an impaired driving organization, we do not expect that teens and young adults will avoid marijuana or alcohol completely. Our goal is that as long as people – of any age – are consuming alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, they do so responsibly.
Cannabis and driving don’t mix. What feels like a harmless choice can have life-changing consequences. The safest move – for you, your friends, and everyone else on the road – is simple: if you’re high, don’t drive.
Make the Call – use a designated driver, rideshare, or public transportation; or, wait it out.
Because no high is worth a DUI.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
As part of the No DUI NoCo Coalition, our mission is to prevent impaired driving through education, community responsibility, and awareness. Food and drink may not be the first things we think of, but they can stealthily alter the way our medications work, potentially impairing our ability to drive safely.
So check with a health provider, be aware of possible effects, and prioritize safe driving for yourself and your community.
Drive informed. Drive safely. Together, we keep Northern Colorado communities thriving.
No DUI NoCo is a regional coalition working to end impaired driving in Northern Colorado through education, outreach, and community partnerships.
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