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Impaired Reasoning - Should last week’s joint disqualify a pot smoker from driving today?
Reason ^ | June 28, 2006 | Jacob Sullum

Posted on 07/02/2006 4:39:39 PM PDT by neverdem

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To: Celtjew Libertarian
My question would be whether the chemicals they look for are in second-hand smoke.

Second hand pot smoke, maybe, as your question seems to imply.

Temporal indication of marijuana use can be estimated from plasma and urine concentrations of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid.

11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid has a halflife of 6 days according to that link. If it's second hand tobacco smoke, they look for a metabolite of nicotine called cotinine.

101 posted on 07/08/2006 11:40:06 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: OmahaFields; elkfersupper

"It is not our place to second-guess the Legislature’s intent when the language in the statute is plain and unambiguous.1"


The dissenters: 'argued that the ruling results in an unconstitutionally vague law that invites arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.'

Key words: unconstitutional(ly); vague; arbitrary

I will leave aside the words 'discriminatory enforcement' because the word arbitrary makes it redundant.

Apparently the three disinters did NOT find the law "plain and unambiguous."

"Ah, and aren't we supposed to rally against those activist judges that legislate from the bench instead of deciding by law?"

It's strange. Have we gone so far afield that judges that follow the constitution (that includes the INTENT of the founding fathers)are considered activist?

Also, there is a difference between striking down a law -- as unconstitutional -- and legislating from the bench, that is: reading INTO the constitution rights and privileges that are not granted nor implied.

The former is done by good Jurists; the later by 'activist' judges.


102 posted on 07/08/2006 11:54:17 PM PDT by siznartuf (If I Hear "Jobs Americans Won't Do" One More ^%&^%^%# Time)
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To: winston2

It protects against unreasonable searches. It is not unreasonable to search a person for the presence of drugs following a traffic violation. Even you allow for probable cause! So what are you talking about -- a head-on accident that kills people is not probable cause?


103 posted on 07/09/2006 6:07:27 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: siznartuf
It's strange. Have we gone so far afield that judges that follow the constitution (that includes the INTENT of the founding fathers)are considered activist?

Well said. -- Its quite evident that there is a clear intent -- a presumption of freedom, - built into the document.

Also, there is a difference between striking down a law -- as unconstitutional -- and legislating from the bench, that is: reading INTO the constitution rights and privileges that are not granted nor implied.

Yes indeed. -- And reading [in the 5th amendment], that it is our rights to life, liberty, or property that cannot be deprived; -- pretty well covers any rights not enumerated.

Being arbitrarily deprived of your right to drive [without due process - as per this 'law'] clearly infringes on life and liberty.

104 posted on 07/09/2006 6:27:22 AM PDT by tpaine
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To: OmahaFields
With that contract you agree to abide by the rules.

Only if you ask for and accept a driver license, which is unnecessary.

105 posted on 07/09/2006 7:50:21 AM PDT by elkfersupper
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To: siznartuf
Apparently the three disinters did NOT find the law "plain and unambiguous."

That's why they were in the minority. Anybody with a fifth grade education can read it correctly. Only a judge with an agenda would find otherwise.

106 posted on 07/09/2006 8:36:25 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: elkfersupper
Only if you ask for and accept a driver license, which is unnecessary.

Do you drive without a license? I would doubt it.

107 posted on 07/09/2006 8:37:22 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: tpaine

Kurts was charged with:

1) operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, third offense, MCL 257.625(9);

2)operating a motor vehicle with the presence of a schedule 1 controlled substance in the body, MCL 257.625(8); and

3)operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, MCL 257.904(3)(a).


108 posted on 07/09/2006 8:40:25 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: OmahaFields
Do you drive without a license? I would doubt it.

And I doubt that I would say anything about that on an open forum.

109 posted on 07/09/2006 8:53:46 AM PDT by elkfersupper
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To: robertpaulsen
robertpaulsen, doesn't someone, somewhere, love you, miss you, need you?

It seems you spend more time posting about pot than the worst potheads I've ever known waste actually SMOKING pot.

I'm starting to think pot is as bad as you say, because it appears to destroy the lives of people who don't even smoke it.

Now THAT'S powerful stuff!

110 posted on 07/09/2006 9:04:14 AM PDT by Trailerpark Badass
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To: robertpaulsen
In other words, the Michigan legislature couldn't care less if marijuana is "influencing" you -- they simply don't want you driving after you smoked. That, to me, is a valid example of "actual Americans ... enacting laws that are going in the opposite direction."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Bob - What you seem to be suggesting is that the state of Michigan should have the right to trample the 4th Amendment rights of citizens. I know you are much more patriotic than that.(winston2)

It protects against unreasonable searches. It is not unreasonable to search a person for the presence of drugs following a traffic violation. Even you allow for probable cause! So what are you talking about -- a head-on accident that kills people is not probable cause?It protects against unreasonable searches. It is not unreasonable to search a person for the presence of drugs following a traffic violation. Even you allow for probable cause! So what are you talking about -- a head-on accident that kills people is not probable cause?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What I deem unreasonable is the search for the mere trace evidence of a person having once consumed an inebriating substance and being charged as guilty of DUI in the absence of evidence of the accident being caused as a direct results of the intoxicant in question.

It is clear that both of the cases mentioned in the court records were persons who admitted having recently consumed cannabis and thus were guilty of DUI, but the broad interpretation of any trace of cannabis found in the body of a person deeming that person liable of guilt of DUI is preposterous - IMHO.

I really don't think our citizens will benefit if the United States gets any more Orwellian than it is already. If a motorist is found to be driving while inebriated - punish them - if they are not inebriated while driving - don't punish them for DUI.

111 posted on 07/09/2006 9:05:32 AM PDT by winston2 (In matters of necessity let there be unity, in matters of doubt liberty, and in all things charity:-)
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To: Trailerpark Badass
I'm starting to think pot is as bad as you say, because it appears to destroy the lives of people who don't even smoke it.

Which brings us back to an earlier discussion - Why would a rational person smoke pot knowing that it could ruin his life and the lives of his family members who don't even smoke it?

112 posted on 07/09/2006 9:17:39 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: winston2
It is clear that both of the cases mentioned in the court records were persons who admitted having recently consumed cannabis and thus were guilty of DUI,

AND ALCOLHOL.

113 posted on 07/09/2006 9:18:43 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: winston2
but the broad interpretation of any trace of cannabis found in the body of a person deeming that person liable of guilt of DUI is preposterous - IMHO.

There was no broad interpretation. The judges decided very narrowly - no pot in the system means no pot in the system. That was the law, the law was upheld.

114 posted on 07/09/2006 9:20:36 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: OmahaFields
but the broad interpretation of any trace of cannabis found in the body of a person deeming that person liable of guilt of DUI is preposterous - IMHO.(winston2)

There was no broad interpretation. The judges decided very narrowly - no pot in the system means no pot in the system. That was the law, the law was upheld.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

s/ In that event - let us begin a program of drug testing every 6 months for every driver in the nation - that way we could get every person who ever used a non-government approved substance off the road. That would only leave those who fall asleep at the wheel, are distracted by a myriad of "legal" act ivies and the drinkers of alcohol for you to be worried about./s

115 posted on 07/09/2006 9:30:22 AM PDT by winston2 (In matters of necessity let there be unity, in matters of doubt liberty, and in all things charity:-)
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To: winston2; Everybody
It is clear that both of the cases mentioned in the court records were persons who admitted having recently consumed cannabis and thus were guilty of DUI, but the broad interpretation of any trace of cannabis found in the body of a person deeming that person liable of guilt of DUI is preposterous - IMHO.

Your position is more than an "honest opinion".. -- It is the base fact enumerated in the 14th amendment, "-- nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; --".

The 'law' at issue here is an unreasonable and arbitrary infringement on due process, -- in that it claims "the mere trace evidence of a person having once consumed an inebriating substance" --- "is guilty".

116 posted on 07/09/2006 9:52:24 AM PDT by tpaine
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To: tpaine; All
The 'law' at issue here is an unreasonable and arbitrary infringement on due process, -- in that it claims "the mere trace evidence of a person having once consumed an inebriating substance" --- "is guilty".

Are there any "law makers" out there that have an understanding of the principle of "one being responsible for their own actions"?

A citizen should be judged by their actions not by the cannaboids that might be found in their urine.

117 posted on 07/09/2006 10:03:56 AM PDT by winston2 (In matters of necessity let there be unity, in matters of doubt liberty, and in all things charity:-)
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To: winston2
but the broad interpretation of any trace of cannabis found in the body of a person deeming that person liable of guilt of DUI is preposterous - IMHO.(winston2)

But they didn't find him DUI based on trace cannibis.

118 posted on 07/09/2006 10:20:49 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: winston2
Are there any "law makers" out there that have an understanding of the principle of "one being responsible for their own actions"? A citizen should be judged by their actions not by the cannaboids that might be found in their urine.

Uh, tokin' cannibis is ILLEGAL.

119 posted on 07/09/2006 10:21:49 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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To: winston2
A citizen should be judged by their actions not by the cannaboids that might be found in their urine.

These citizens were judged based on their actions. They were drinking and tokin' within 1/2 hour of driving.

120 posted on 07/09/2006 10:22:52 AM PDT by OmahaFields ("What have been its fruits? ... superstition, bigotry and persecution.")
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