This morning, after years of debating the issue, Colorado’s Senate approved a THC driving bill, House Bill 1325, with a 23-12 vote. Similar to the much-debated provision included in Washington State’s Initiative 502, the measure would set the standard for impairment at 5n g/ml (nanograms per milliliter) of THC, meaning that someone’s considered guilty if they have that amount or more than that in their blood. A blood draw would be taken to determine someone’s THC levels.

The measure, which has already passed the House, now goes to Governor John Hickenlooper for final approval. A spokesperson for the governor has stated that he’s expected to sign the bill.

Similar legislation has been defeated on numerous other occasions in Colorado over the past few years, including just last month. Opponents of the provision argue that even active THC lingers in the body for days, and everyone metabolizes THC differently, making a set limit fundamentally inaccurate at determining impairment.

Although he’s already made clear he’ll sign the measure, Colorado residents should make one final push to let their governor know just how unacceptable it is to approve such a measure with no scientific basis.

– TheJointBlog