Cannabis and Driving - Essay Example

Cannabis and Driving Cut off level This is the minimum concentration of a drug or metabolites that must be present in the specimens in the lab to determine whether the drug test is positive or negative. Various drugs have their own cut off levels that is usually measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) of the drug concentration. Usually, the cutoff level of cannabis is 50 nanograms per milliliter and this differs with those of other drugs like cocaine and opiates, which are 150 ng/ml and 2000 ng/ml respectively (Marquet, 2002). Oral fluid test It involves the use of saliva to detect the level of drug in an individual and it provides a quick and noninvasive specimen for drug testing. Its main application is for testing drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, heroin, but it also tests a wide range of substance that includes alcohol, antibiotics, therapeutic drugs, and steroids. Confirmatory techniques are based on mass spectrometry with emphasis on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to achieve reliable results (Marquet, 2002). In detection of cannabis, this method is very reliable since cannabis influence the secretion of oral fluid in human beings. Current driving enforcement law Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense in the U.K since the parliament has enacted strict legislation to deal with the offenders. The new law is determined to increase the effectiveness of enforcement activity and to ensure that those who disobey traffic rules are prosecuted accordingly with respect to the law. In addition the new bill deters driving through the influence of drugs, thus improves road safety. Under the new law, the penalties for driving offenses will be enforced after the culprit us found with a drug concentration above the prescribed limit. The drivers need to be careful while driving because anyone who brakes this new regulation can face up to six months imprisonment and, or a fine of up to five thousand sterling pounds. This law also has a penalty of disqualification of the driver if found driving above the limit within the U.K roads. How cannabis affects body physiologically, how it affects driving, and how it affects the mind Cannabis is a drug with high addictive tendency and negative consequences for the users. It affects the body physiology and the mind, which in turn affects driving on the roads. After the drug is inhaled, the chemical components inside the drug zip throughout the body in very short time. Therefore, it reaches the brain just a few seconds after inhalation and begins to work in the body. The physiological effects of cannabis reach many parts of the body and are associated with problems of memory and learning (Asbridge, Poulin & Donato, 2005). Since it interferes with the memory, people who abuse this drug experience distorted perception that influences their lives negatively. This also results to difficulty in thinking and problem solving due to loss of coordination between the body organs and systems. Due to heavy consumption of this drug, a person is likely to experience increased heart rate. Cannabis has a considerable damage to the brain since the chemical stays in the body for much longer despite initial effects wearing out after an hour or two. Akwasu (2014) argues that the drug enters the brain, and then it causes the user to feel euphoric by acting on the brain reward system that governs response to pleasurable things like sex. It then activates the reward system by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine that alters the normal functioning of the brain resulting in abnormal behavior. In the brain, this drug impairs a persons ability to form new memories and to shift focus on unknown things (Hartman & Huestis, 2013). Therefore, doing complicated tasks like driving is greatly inflicted by taking this drug. Heavy and continuous use of cannabis affect psychomotor skills that have the potential of causing accidents on the roads (Jones, Freeman & Weatherburn, 2003). This is because the drug has harmful effects on the skills of driving that are related to alertness, coordination, reaction, and concentration as one drives. Under the influence of cannabis, the user may have difficulty in judging distances, reacts to signals and make responsible driving. How police may go about checking whether drivers really are taking cannabis for medicinal purposes. What proof needs to be shown? In some instances, the drives under the influence of cannabis may be exempted from legal charges if the drug is taken for medicinal purpose. In order for the police to determine whether a driver has taken cannabis for medicinal purposes, they should question and examine his document fully. The suspect must prove by a valid recommendation from a licensed physician that he as been diagnosed with a qualifying condition covered by the law (Akwasu, 2014). The suspect must also not use the medicinal cannabis in such a way as to obstruct safe travelling on the road. In as much as the drug may be medicine, it should not be displayed to the public. Medicinal Confidentiality Laws The department that is in charge of providing medicinal marijuana must create and maintain confidentiality registry of patients who have applied and are entitled to the drugs (McCarthy, Lynch & Pederson, 2007). The police are granted access to such files only on condition that they are verifying whether an individual is lawfully registered for medicinal cannabis. Is growing cannabis legal or illegal? If legal under what circumstances? Growing of cannabis is illegal in most countries and anyone found cultivating such a drug usually faces harsh legal penalties in accordance with the law. However, in Britain the House of Commons recommended that the drug be made available with doctors’ subscription to avoid misuse of such an opportunity. The UK government has awarded GW pharmaceuticals the license to cultivate cannabis for medicinal trail only, individuals, therefore are not allowed to cultivate the drug. What are the effects of long-term exposure, and how do these change over time? The long-term effects of cannabis have very negative consequences to those who abuse this drug Studies also show that long-term cannabis consumers have more sick days and regular visits to hospital due to several health related complications (Iversen, 2005). It is also suggested that continued use of cannabis may play a role in cancer attack together with the problems that are associated with respiratory organs and body immune systems. This is because the drug has been found to contain cancer causing chemicals with even higher concentrations than those found in tobacco. With time, such complications may worsen if a person fails to stop abusing this drug. What is the correlation between intake and tolerance? In addition, what is the average concentration of THC in 1 joint? What is considered high cannabis intake?  Tolerance to cannabis means the same thing as tolerance to other drugs like cocaine, heroin, mandrax and even alcohol. The more a person uses such a drug, the more he gets high leading to desperation and addiction to the drug. The drug contains several chemicals represented by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is accountable for most of the distinguishing psychoactive influences of cannabis in users. The buds are preferred by users, due to their high THC content and the average absorption of THC in marijuana is 1-5% of the dry weight of the material. What is considered high in cannabis intake is associated with loss of self-control, perceived motivation, increased illusion and loss of self control. Correlation between cannabis and road accidents Cannabis is the cause of several accidents witnessed in various parts of the world. Some of these accidents are very fatal and leads to death while the other lead to injuries. Figure relating cannabis to accidents (Bates & Blakely, 1999) References Asbridge, M., Poulin, C. & Donato, A. 2005. Motor vehicle collision risk and driving under the influence of cannabis: Evidence from adolescents in Atlantic Canada. Accident Analysis & Prevention 37, 1025-1034. Akwasu, O. 2014. Cannabis Impaired Driving: An Evaluation of Current Modes of Detection. Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto Bates, N.B & Blakely, T.A. 1999. Role of Cannabis in Motor Vehicle Crashes. Epidemiologic Reviews. Vol. 21, No. 2 Hartman, R & Huestis, M. 2013. Cannabis Effects on Driving Skills. Clinical Chemistry, 59 (3), 1-15. Iversen, L. 2005. Long-term effects of exposure to cannabis. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 5:69–72 Jones, C., Freeman, K. & Weatherburn, D. 2003. Driving under the influence of cannabis in a New South Wales rural area. Crime and Justice Bulletin 75, 1-6 Marquet P. 2002. Progress of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in clinical and forensic toxicology. Ther Drug Monit; 24:255-76. McCarthy, D.M., Lynch, A.M. & Pederson, S.L. 2007. Driving after use of alcohol and marijuana in college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 21, 425-430 Read More