Highway patrol set to crack down on high driving in Boone County
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri law enforcement will be cracking down on high driving Thursday as people celebrate the marijuana-themed holiday known as 4/20.
Every year on April 20 thousands of Americans celebrate marijuana. The exact origins of the holiday are still unknown. However, it has grown in popularity as more and more states legalize the drug. Toby White, the store manager of Hippo Dispensary says that 420 is by far their busiest day of the year.
"It has been very very busy today. The community has come out and shown a whole bunch of support for us and we are loving it."
Missouri has already reaped the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana.
In just the first month of legalization, Missouri generated $71.7 million in recreational sales. Meanwhile, medical marijuna sales added an additonal $31.2 million resulting in over $100 million for the state.
But while marijuana is good for business it has been bad for highway safety, according to law enforcement. Marijuana may be legal in Missouri but driving high is not.
The United States Department of Transportation reported that 56% percent of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug in their system.
Surveys conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration show that the number of drivers testing positive for marijuana increased between 2007 and 2014. They also reported that in fewer than 10 years, weekend nighttime drivers who tested positive for marijuana increased by 48%. As more and more states like Missouri legalize pot, those numbers are likely to increase.
However, captain Brian Leer of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office says it’s still too early to tell if there will be an uptick in DWI’s in the state of Missouri since marijuana was legalized.
"We expect to see an uptick,” Leer said. “How much is still yet to be seen. It's one of those things that's been there for years. We've dealt with it, we've trained on it. The only thing different now is marijuana is legal for recreational use."
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is taking measures to prevent impaired driving in Boone County. Troop F will be conducting impaired driving enforcement saturation between Thursday and Sunday.
Meanwhile Boone County officials say they have been aware of the holiday even before marijuana was legalized in Missouri. they always expected an uptick in DWI's. Leer says now that weed has been legalized they are treating 420 just like any other day.
"You know past years it was a concern that on that specific day it was going to be drastic. We do know that there’s events in the county this…well today on 420. We are aware of those and we’ve definitely shared the intel with our folks out there on the road, the deputies and guys and gals out there doing their job day in and day out. again we address the issues as need be.”
In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities, troopers will be conducting an impaired driving enforcement saturation in Boone County 4/20-4/23.
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) April 20, 2023
If you’re planning to use marijuana or any impairing drug, do not drive. Designate a sober driver or call a ride-sharing service or taxi. pic.twitter.com/fBnMp4dKmD
