Earlier this month, Ventura County Behavior Health Department announced they would be launching a campaign to prevent drunk driving and marijuana-impaired driving. The Behavioral Department was given a grant of $250,000 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for this campaign.
“Manejando Claramente” or “Driving Clearly” is the name of the campaign aimed to reduce alcohol and drug-related car accidents. Using social media, community efforts, and social outreach, this agency plans to educate the residents of Ventura County about the dangers of driving while under the influence of these substances. This is in response to the bill proposed in the California election that might make it legal to use marijuana recreationally. Safety and government officials are concerned that residents might mistakenly think it is legal to drive while high.
The National Highway and Safety Administration has given counties these grants so they may start a community discussion about driving while impaired and wishes they use the term “WEEDUI” to indicate a marijuana DUI.
California’s Penalties for Driving While High
Driving while under the influence of marijuana is illegal and if you arrested for a WEEDUI, you could face severe penalties. If this is your first DUI and there was no property damage or injuries, you could be penalized a jail sentence between 96 hours and 6 months, and fines between $390 and $1000. You could also face a six-month suspension on your license and be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle to regain driving privileges.
If you were arrested on suspicion of DUI while driving in Ventura County, seeking the legal counsel of a skilled Santa Barbara DUI lawyer is crucial to your success. At Appel & Morse, we have over 40 years of combined experience representing clients in the Santa Barbara, Ventura County and surrounding areas who have been arrested for DUI.
Contact our offices today to schedule your appointment.