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BirdsIView
Mr. Helms

Registered: 07/19/07
Posts: 736
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CHP Does Study On Driving High
#13364109 - 10/20/10 09:28 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-1020-lopezcolumn-20101018,0,493202.column
He's a Train Wreck behind the wheel
In the name of science, the columnist smokes, giggles and drives. Watch out at traffic lights.
By Steve Lopez October 20, 2010
The man in the uniform had a question for me. "How do you feel?" CHP Sgt. David Nelms asked. His interest in my health was probably prompted by the fact that I was at that moment toking a joint stuffed with a bud called Train Wreck.
Pretty good, I said, already buzzed enough to wonder if this was really happening.
In my youth, I spent more than a few evenings hoping the police weren't keeping close tabs on my activities. So it felt a bit strange last week to have a group of cops paw my marijuana stash and then ask me to get high.
Get breaking news alerts delivered to your mobile phone. Text BREAKING to 52669.
"There you go, Cheech," said KABC radio host Peter Tilden, a fellow volunteer. Tilden was smoking something called Blockhead, which I presume is a standard choice among talk show hosts.
As reported in my first installment of the Cannabis Chronicles on Sunday, I had been asked by Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich to help determine whether, and how, marijuana impairs driving. He recruited more than two dozen police officers from various Southern California agencies and the CHP to bear witness and study the differences between driving while high and driving while drunk.
"Probably nowhere in America is what we're doing today occurring," Trutanich's chief of investigation, Gary Schram, announced after I arrived at the LAPD training center in Granada Hills.
I think that was probably true.
I was invited to participate in part because I had been cleared to use medical marijuana legally last year by a gynecologist who said he knew nothing about back trouble but believed cannabis might just be the best cure for my pain. I'm not really a smoker, though, so I was concerned that I might get knocked on my heels and skew the results.
But Trutanich and many cops believe that if Proposition 19 passes next month and marijuana is as legal as potato chips and nearly as cheap, more new users will be driving under the influence, so the experiment would be worthwhile. Trutanich also noted that users often have no clue as to the potency of the grass they buy, and it varies wildly. Some of it can even make you feel like you've been in, let's say, a train wreck.
"OK," said Trutanich, "let's go."
Before I sampled the meds, the cops wanted to get a baseline on how I drove unimpaired, so I got behind the wheel of a marked CHP cruiser and was put through a series of tests involving a slalom course and various tight parking maneuvers.
For the trickiest part of the test, I drove toward a three-lane fork in the road, with a green traffic light above each lane. At the last second, two of the lights turned red and I had to swerve into the green lane. I pulled it off just fine, but in jerking the car, my bag of dope slid onto the floor.
Next, Tilden and I were escorted to a bluff at the edge of the training center where we could light up without risking a contact high for the assembled peace officers.
Two brave representatives of the CHP accompanied us, Nelms and officer J. Leffert. Well, here we go, I thought, lighting a stick of Train Wreck with the cops looking on. From the bluff, I could see "Nooch" Trutanich and company assembled in the distance, with an L.A. Fire Department paramedic unit waiting in case something went horribly wrong.
A few hits later, I suggested to Tilden that we roll a vehicle, come out holding our necks, sue everyone and retire, but that was the dope talking. Tilden had forgotten his rolling papers, so I gave him my Bob Marley wrappers and Officer Leffert expertly rolled a fat one for him.
"What are you, Rastafarian?" Tilden asked the officer. "Look at the size of that blunt."
One of us, after several strong hits on a second joint, was now giggling like a high school sophomore, and it wasn't Tilden or the cops. I believe Train Wreck may be from the sativa rather than indica species of pot. Sativa is said to give you a spacey surge instead of a drowsy body buzz. This could explain why, when I saw southern division CHP commander Kevin Gordon approaching to see if we were ripped yet, I stood on one foot for him, as if taking a sobriety test while puffing away and laughing like a hyena.
"Are you having fun?" asked Nelms, the drug recognition expert.
What, is that a crime, officer?
When we were driven back down the hill and I slid into an unmarked Crown Vic for my driving test, I couldn't resist the urge to play a little prank. I revved the engine, shifted into forward and jerked forward in the direction of the gathering, honking the horn like a lunatic as Trutanich and the others prepared to scatter.
But despite behaving like a doofus, I thought I could drive pretty well. For several minutes I concentrated on slaloming, parking and then finally the dreaded traffic signal.
It didn't seem to me that I was as impaired as I would have been after a few beers or glasses of wine or if I was one of the morons who drive while texting and yakking on cellphones.
But when I finished, Sgt. Nelms said I was less confident than I had been before smoking. He had to admit I hadn't bombed on the slalom and parking challenges, wobbling only a few traffic cones.
Getting through the traffic signal was another matter. Having to process a lot of information and make a quick decision, on Train Wreck, was a challenge. I swerved radically before getting into the correct lane, and if I were a cop, I'd have pulled me over.
Tilden, meanwhile, parked like a blind man. He ended up so far from the curb after parallel parking that he would have needed a search party to find it. But he had enough Blockhead in him to think he'd done just fine.
"They both show impairment across the board," Sgt. Nelms announced after we were put through another round of field sobriety tests.
Trutanich seemed pleased with the findings, but I think more research could be useful. Dude, I didn't even get a chance to dip into my bag of Skywalker.
Call me any time, Nooch. I'll do it for science.
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AsAboveSoBelow
The matrix has you


Registered: 02/06/08
Posts: 2,515
Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: BirdsIView]
#13364177 - 10/20/10 09:42 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Driving high is fairly easy
The hardest part of all for me is the timing on a u-turn when I have to judge whether or not im going to get t-boned
But guess what I do 99% of the time: I dont take any risks at all and I let the traffic pass until its completely clear
wonder what a drunk would do?
--------------------
You're gonna get hurt real bad They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind
Edited by AsAboveSoBelow (10/20/10 09:44 PM)
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BirdsIView
Mr. Helms

Registered: 07/19/07
Posts: 736
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Maybe I should apologize for this but, driving is probably one of my favorite things to do while stoned 
A top stoned memory for me is driving home a from a friend's house listening to Pink Floyd with the sun roof open and going 10 miles below the speed limit without a care in the world. It's all around good times.
The only "impairment" I have is I get lost rather easily. It is a scary thing at first though, but once comfortable with it, it's not difficult at all. It's just gas, break, and steer, right?
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idunno
PinkWebBuffalo


Registered: 03/02/10
Posts: 1,087
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Quote:
AsAboveSoBelow said: Driving high is fairly easy
The hardest part of all for me is the timing on a u-turn when I have to judge whether or not im going to get t-boned
But guess what I do 99% of the time: I dont take any risks at all and I let the traffic pass until its completely clear
wonder what a drunk would do?
LOL me 2
-------------------- The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.. Josef Stalin
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5-HT2A

Registered: 01/30/10
Posts: 1,794
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: BirdsIView]
#13364315 - 10/20/10 10:09 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I love how the experiment basically tests the most extreme of possible scenarios as opposed to what most people are faced with behind the wheel on a daily basis. It also fails to take into account knowing or not knowing the terrain of the road.
Who designed this study?
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bigmike7104
Stranger

Registered: 07/12/10
Posts: 1,395
Loc: USA
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: 5-HT2A]
#13364358 - 10/20/10 10:16 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I feel like cops doing the study adds a lot of bias, I bet at least some of them don't want to see pot legal.
-------------------- Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must Feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines
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Led Zeppelin
Tripper


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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: bigmike7104]
#13364407 - 10/20/10 10:27 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Shoofles
Bright Eyed, Bushy Tailed


Registered: 12/18/09
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: Led Zeppelin]
#13364476 - 10/20/10 10:41 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Alcohol tends to create a sense of carelessness and confidence, causing drivers to believe they can operate safely.... Smoking often causes paranoia or at least, great concern for some... However, after smoking for a while, the spacey effect goes away.. You can mask being high.. Can't mask being drunk.
-------------------- Kill corporation forces for a bonus score!
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Ickage
Tripper


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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: BirdsIView]
#13364526 - 10/20/10 10:52 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I agree. I actually enjoy driving while high and find it fun. I've never had any problems in the past and it seems like I am more cautious than when I'm unimpaired. However, I hate taking the risk of having any drugs in my car.
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Shroomerette
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: Shoofles]
#13364542 - 10/20/10 10:56 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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As long as the high drivers do better than the drunk drivers then this study will have positive results .
For some reason I predict that they will.
-------------------- Leaving the shroomery forever
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openmind
curious


Registered: 08/03/07
Posts: 13,990
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: BirdsIView]
#13364668 - 10/20/10 11:33 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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There's lots to say when it comes to being high while driving...
Though I won't drive when I'm too high, I do drive stoned quite often. If I'm to baked, I know it and just simply wait a little while before driving.
I usually drive smoother, slower, not nearly as aggressive and I'm much more aware while driving stoned.
Though I do think there are people out there that should not be behind the wheel while stoned, but usually these are the people that simply shouldn't be behind the wheel at all even sober haha.
3 out of the 5 times or so I've been pulled over, I've actually been high as a fucking kite. And I still have never got a ticket ....

.
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BirdsIView
Mr. Helms

Registered: 07/19/07
Posts: 736
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: Shoofles]
#13364786 - 10/21/10 12:13 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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It's funny how they say he was "less confident" as one of the drawbacks when I've always heard the drawback of driving drunk is being "too confident." Nothing satisfies these people!
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ShroomyJohn
Stranger
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: 5-HT2A]
#13365025 - 10/21/10 01:44 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
5-HT2A said: I love how the experiment basically tests the most extreme of possible scenarios as opposed to what most people are faced with behind the wheel on a daily basis. It also fails to take into account knowing or not knowing the terrain of the road.
Who designed this study?
Should they be looking to see if he can stay in a single lane or something? That isn't when an impairment from a drug (unless it is a huge impairment) would affect you, it would affect you when something unexpected or difficult happens suddenly.
Did anyone notice that he said the police officer rolled up a perfect joint? That had me laughing hard as fuck.
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Mickalopagus
living in perverty


Registered: 07/06/04
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: ShroomyJohn]
#13365094 - 10/21/10 02:16 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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seems like this test should have been done years ago. there should be oodles of research on this already
-------------------- notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... " ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."
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wowwtf
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: Mickalopagus]
#13365404 - 10/21/10 06:43 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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I drive perfect when I am high and extremely safely (almost too safe) but I gotta say If my tolerance was low and I smoked a blunt of trainwreck to the dome and had to take a driving test in front of a bunch of cops I wouldn't score perfectly either but given the situation and environment who would ?
Typically if you have a low tolerance you aren't gonna be smoking a blunt of trainwreck and then decide to go on a joyride when you're blitzed out of your mind. It's not like when you're drunk and you can't use your head to decide whether it's a good idea to be driving. When I'm completely blitzd on bud I absolutely 100 percent know if I'm going to be able to drive or not. Shit I won't even be able to move or get motivated to drive anywhere but even If I HAD TO drive I would still be a better driver stoned out of my mind then a driver who's even slightly drunk.
From these tests they are doing seems like they are preparing cops for the possible passing of prop 19.
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,379
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: Mickalopagus]
#13365696 - 10/21/10 09:13 AM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
mick said: seems like this test should have been done years ago. there should be oodles of research on this already
There are studies. Most conclude that, like many other drugs, MJ produces a dose-related increase in impairment.
Usually the response to these studies is exactly what you see here. Data followed by anecdotal response of droves of people professing that they are the exception, and that they can drive perfectly when high.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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idunno
PinkWebBuffalo


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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: badchad]
#13366480 - 10/21/10 12:47 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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They need to test the affects of driving after you have been up for 48hrs- Get the tweekers off the road
-------------------- The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.. Josef Stalin
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dwpineal
Psychedelic Artist



Registered: 07/20/06
Posts: 4,667
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: idunno]
#13366583 - 10/21/10 01:14 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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A statistical population of 2 drivers just is not going to get that accurate or significant results...maybe 200 drivers - and yes wowwtf really has a good point;
Quote:
If my tolerance was low and I smoked a blunt of trainwreck to the dome and had to take a driving test in front of a bunch of cops I wouldn't score perfectly either but given the situation and environment who would ?
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,379
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: dwpineal]
#13366768 - 10/21/10 02:04 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
Entropymancer said: And of those studies, how many are looking at regular smokers? If I didn't have tolerance, then yeah, I'd exhibit dose-related impairment. But if I had the sort if tolerance I do when smoking regularly (about a gram per day), I can smoke an eighth to the dome without it decreasing my driving performance.
Nearly all of them use "regular smokers", because it's difficult to get studies approved in non-users for ethical reasons.
While tolerance probably plays a role, you may not necessarily become tolerant to all the effects of a given drug.
Driving simulators can often detect subtle changes that people are completely unaware of. It's probable that even though you think MJ doesn't affect your driving, it does in subtle ways that you can't even tell.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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idunno
PinkWebBuffalo


Registered: 03/02/10
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Re: CHP Does Study On Driving High [Re: badchad]
#13368376 - 10/21/10 08:11 PM (13 years, 6 months ago) |
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Driving simulators can often detect subtle changes that people are completely unaware of. It's probable that even though you think MJ doesn't affect your driving, it does in subtle ways that you can't even tell.
That is so true I start drifting toward the closest taco bell-Like fucking auto piolit scarry- sometimes it arbys
-------------------- The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.. Josef Stalin
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