CENTRAL COAST, Calif. -- A new state bill known as the zero tolerance for drugs has been introduced and it's purpose is to keep roads drug free and some medical marijuana advocates are crying foul.
Senate Bill 289 would amend the State Vehicle Code to include a zero tolerance policy for any drugs found in a driver's bloodstream including medical marijuana and that worries medical marijuana grower Kevin Saunders.
He says, "we are talking about someone who has a medical marijuana card that would smoke a joint on the weekend, and on Tuesday be over that threshold, maybe while they are driving, they reach down for something, they swerve and get pulled over. do we want that person charged with a DUI."
Sanders said since marijuana can stay in your blood for weeks, even months, the new bill could potentially punish people who are not impaired.
California Highway Patrol Officers say the signs that a person is impaired while under the influence of marijuana is similar to someone under the influence of alcohol.
Bill supporters say the law will only focus on erratic drivers, something that the CHP already does.
Saunders said the law will only complicate the process for how officers determine how impaired a person is and put innocent people in jail.
