Federal grant funds Colorado effort to fight driving while high on pot

[Gman]

Federal grant funds Colorado effort to fight driving while high on pot

Efforts are expanding to keep those who overindulge on weed from getting behind the wheel — and punishing those who do.

A $400,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is being used for an anti-imbibing and driving campaign and to train more law enforcement officers to spot pot-impaired drivers.

"It's ironic we're using federal funding for something that is illegal federally," Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Emily Wilfong said. "But they (federal officials) do realize this is a traffic safety issue and needs to be addressed."

A chunk of the money will go toward television advertising. Posters warning of the danger of impaired driving will be distributed to stores that sell pot.

As a tax payer, I find this leans more towards criminal government insanity than "irony".

Either enforce the laws or change them. This idea that we'll have all kinds of laws on the books and whomever is running the federal government at the time will selectively enforce them is lunacy.

[Ronin13]

I dunno, I think the Feds are warming up to the idea. Besides, two CSP cars were hit last night by a stoned driver, best to nip this in the bud and try to campaign like they do with DUIs.

Sent from my evil, black smartphone.

[merl]

Sounds like a really good use for the new MJ tax money. Tax the sin and use it to pay for the direct effects of the sin. No reason for the feds to be paying into that. Yeah $400k is peanuts when talking federal money but it does eventually add up.

[Justin]

Federal grant funds Colorado effort to fight driving while high on pot


As a tax payer, I find this leans more towards criminal government insanity than "irony".

Either enforce the laws or change them. This idea that we'll have all kinds of laws on the books and whomever is running the federal government at the time will selectively enforce them is lunacy.

NTSB's job is transportation related, idoubt they can do anything to enforce drug laws.

That said, this does fall into the same category as government funding anti -smoking campaigns, only to turn around and give handouts to tobacco farmers.

[Jim B]

Either enforce the laws or change them. This idea that we'll have all kinds of laws on the books and whomever is running the federal government at the time will selectively enforce them is lunacy.

Great post.

[Gman]

Maybe the local tax dollars pay for intelligent things like this; Colorado changes 'Mile 420' highway marker to stymie stoner heists

[brutal]

Maybe the local tax dollars pay for intelligent things like this; Colorado changes 'Mile 420' highway marker to stymie stoner heists

Saw that too.

I can't imagine the 419.99 mile post is going to fare much better. They need to put up a "<-- 419 - think about it - 421 -->" post.

[Eric P]

Just another waste of our federal taxes. No need o shuffle money to DC for them to send it back minus 50% to fund a few TV commercials.

[BPTactical]

Federal grant funds Colorado effort to fight driving while high on pot


As a tax payer, I find this leans more towards criminal government insanity than "irony".

Either enforce the laws or change them. This idea that we'll have all kinds of laws on the books and whomever is running the federal government at the time will selectively enforce them is lunacy.

FTW.

[Ronin13]

You're Punny.

Glad someone caught it.
Regardless of the outcome, if someone I love is killed by an intoxicated driver (be it alcohol or pot, I don't see a difference- ability to drive is impaired), I'd want maximum penalties for it. But the better route is to *try* to not have it happen as much in the first place. Although I'm not sure it will really work... are we seeing positive results from those don't drink and drive commercials?