DUI Drivers Often High From THC and Not Alcohol
MONTGOMERY Ala.
By Rick McCann
BlueRAMMedia.com
March 22, 2025
Police in Alabama and nationwide are concerned about the steady increase in drivers behind the wheel who are under the influence of drugs.
For years, the number of drivers who’ve had too much to drink has decreased while the number of people at the wheel with drugs in their system, especially THC, has significantly increased.
New tools being used by many police agencies are quickly and easily helping officers to identify if the person has consumed alcohol, THC, or some other form of narcotics.
MADD, Mothers Against Drug Driving has taken steps to educate the public and law enforcement of these changes from alcohol to other stimulants like marijuana or THC gummies and things that produce a quick high inexpensively.
In Alabama, State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) is also concerned about the increasing number of people being involved in DUIs that are testing positive for THC.
The issue came up in the Legislature this week as a bill introduced by State Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) to regulate hemp-derived THC products but it failed Wednesday in the Senate Committee on Healthcare.
Givhan believes the lawmakers are going to have to pass something regulating THC products.
He said that he was surprised that DUI drivers in the past few years have involved more THC rather than alcohol-related arrests.
Givhan believes that this is a problem and that more needs to be done about it.
Those who opposed the bill argued it would create a bigger black market for products like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 but regulation and enforcement are the key say others.
Givhan said they should at least regulate what kind of retail outlets can sell products containing THC.
Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance is currently a Class D felony in Alabama while driving under the influence is typically a misdemeanor, but it becomes a felony if it’s a fourth or subsequent offense within 10 years, or if it results in serious injury or death.
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