Alcohol and its effect on the human body has been well studied and researched in the DUI context.  Moreover, the emphasis of NHTSA and law enforcement over the past century has been on curbing the number of alcohol related DUIs by means of DUI emphasis patrols, educating the public and training their officers.  However, the impact that drugs have on individuals and its relation to driving under the influence has been poorly studied and law enforcement has been slow to respond. 

In the DUI field drug DUIs are steadily becoming more common place.  Although the detection by law enforcement of drugs in the driver’s system is still relatively poor, law enforcement is slowly attempting to educate their offices to detect certain drugs.  The most common drugs found in DUI drivers and their effect on the driver is listed in the following page.

David Jolly is the author of the acclaimed book The Drug DUI Handbook.  As such he is very familiar with the Drug DUI laws and how to defend someone accused of a Drug DUI in Washington.

Legal Update:  As of December 6, 2012, the state of Washington enacted a specific Marijuana DUI statute which made driving after having a set limit of THC in the blood stream illegal. The law also established an administrative licensing requirement in order for the driver to keep their license. The law has changed to make law enforcement and courts treat marijuana DUIs the same way they driving under the influence of alcohol. In Washington it is now unlawful for drivers to operate a motor vehicle with .05 nanograms or greater of THC in the blood stream as determined by an authorized blood draw and analysis. Those who are convicted under this statute will face the same DUI penalties as one convicted under the alcohol DUI statute. One major difference is that a blood test showing a level of THC greater than or equal to .05 will now require the Washington DOL to take an administrative action against the driver's license as it would for .08 or higher alcohol cases.

For more detailed information on marijuana DUI cases please go to the marijuana DUI website now. 

For information on your Washington State drug DUI or your Snohomish County drug DUI, King County drug DUI, Skagit County drug DUI, Island County drug DUI or Whatcom County drug DUI please contact our Washington State drug DUI attorneys for a free consultation at 425-493-1115, email us at david@davidjollylaw.com.