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Too high to drive? Colo. considers pot DUI law

Some medical marijuana advocates fear they’ll be unfairly targeted

By Ivan Moreno
Associated Press

DENVER — Colorado is considering setting a blood-test standard for what constitutes driving under the influence of marijuana.

It is illegal in all states to drive while impaired by drugs, but only a few states have set a measurable benchmark for how much marijuana you can have in your system to be charged with a DUI. The bipartisan proposal from Reps. Claire Levy and Mark Waller would set a limit of 5 nanograms of THC, the psychoactive marijuana ingredient.

The substance would have to be present within two hours of someone being pulled over.

Colorado’s 5-nanogram proposal would be one of the most liberal in the country. Nevada and Ohio have a 2-nanogram limit.

Some medical marijuana advocates fear they’ll be unfairly targeted, but Levy says the bill is about public safety.