Driving While High On Weed In Michigan: What You Need To Know

In Michigan, driving high on weed is illegal, even if a person is a lawful recreational or medical marijuana user and it is dangerous because it affects a person’s ability to drive safely. The penalties for operating a vechile under the influence of marijuana include jail or prison time, fines, points on the driver’s license, and license suspensions.

Is operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana dangerous?

Yes, opearting a vehicle under the influence of marijuana is dangerous. Research has shown that it impairs a driver’s motor skills, lane tracking ability, cognitive functions, reaction time, decision-making ability, coordination and perception.

Here is what the research shows:

• NHTSA reports that scientific studies show that “marijuana impairs [drivers’] motor skills, lane tracking and cognitive functions” and it “hurts a driver’s ability to multitask, a critical skill needed behind the wheel.”
• “Cannabis use can impair important skills required for safe driving by . . . slowing your reaction time and ability to make decisions, impairing coordination, and distorting perception,” according to the CDC.
• The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports: “Studies have found that using cannabis may affect a person’s ability to drive. It is the drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers involved in motor vehicle crashes, including fatal ones. A number of research analyses have found that the risk of being involved in a crash increased after cannabis use.”

Is driving while high on weed illegal in Michigan?

In Michigan, generally, driving while high on weed is illegal. (MCL 257.625(1)(a)) It is also illegal for a lawfully registered medical marijuana user or a lawful marijuana user under Michigan’s recreational pot law. (MCL 333.26427(b)(4); 333.27954(1)(a))

Statistics for driving under the influence of marijuana

The dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana are supported by the statistics:

• A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that “the combined effect of legalization” of marijuana and “retail sales” of marijuana was “a 5.8% increase in injury crash rates and a 4.1% increase in fatal crash rates.”
• “[R]esearch suggests that users who drive high are up to twice as likely to be involved in a crash,” according to AAA. 

Is driving while high on weed a felony in Michigan?

In Michigan, driving high on weed is a felony if you cause another person’s death or you cause another person to suffer a serious impairment of a body function. (MCL 257.625(4)(a); (MCL 257.625(5)(a)) It is also a felony if you have had 2 or more prior convictions for operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. (MCL 257.625(9)(c))

What happens if you get caught driving while high on weed in Michigan?

In Michigan, if you are caught driving while high on weed, you face serious legal consequences such as: (1) being found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony, (2) jail or prison, (3) fines between $500 and $10,000, (4) points on your driver’s license, (5) a license suspension, and (6) community service.

Here is more information about the penalties for driving under the influence of marijuan:

• Being found guilty of a misdemeanor (MCL 257.625(9)(a))
• Up to 360 hours of community service. (MCL 257.625(9)(a)(i))
• Up to 93 days in jail. (MCL 257.625(9)(a)(ii))
• Up to $500 in fines. (MCL 257.625(9)(a)(iii))
• Up to 180 days of vehicle immobilization. (MCL 257.625(9)(e); 257.904d(1)(a); 257.904e(1))
• 6 points on your driving record. (MCL 257.320a(1)(c))
• Mandatory 180-day driver’s license suspension. (MCL 257.319(8)(a))
• If you cause another person’s death, you could be found guilty of a felony. (MCL 257.625(4)(a))
• If you cause another person’s death, you face up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500 to $10,000. if a drunk driver kills someone. (MCL 257.625(4)(a))
• If you cause another person to suffer a serious impairment of body function, you could be found guilty of a felony. (MCL 257.625(5)(a))
• If you cause another person to suffer a serious impairment of a body function, you face up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000. (MCL 257.625(5)(a))

Injured in a car accident in Michigan caused by someone driving while high on weed? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law for a free consultation!

If you were injured in a car accident in Michigan caused by someone who was driving while high on weed and you have questions about your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation, No-Fault benefits and money damages, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

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More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

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