After three years of gathering feedback from budtenders and other cannabis-industry employees, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is using what it’s learned to prioritize its safe-driving message.
An ongoing survey of cannabis industry workers in Colorado, conducted as part of CDOT’s online budtender course with cannabis-industry partner Learn Brands, has revealed information aimed at convincing cannabis consumers not to drive under the influence.
The survey found many respondents believe their customers were unaware of how long it takes for the impairing effects of cannabis to wear off before it is safe to drive. Course participants expressed their surprise at how long the impairing effects can last and believed that the general public is largely unaware of this as well.
Responses showed a high level of awareness that you can get a DUI for driving impaired by cannabis. But many were unaware that a cannabis DUI carries the same penalties and financial burden of an alcohol DUI.
Hundreds of answers asked for details about “legal limits,” how law enforcement determines roadside impairment, and even showed open-container laws in Colorado were either unknown or misunderstood.
Colorado has an open-container law for alcohol and cannabis. Even if you’re sober, it’s illegal for a passenger to smoke flower, vape or have an open container in the passenger area of a vehicle.
“Cannabis industry employees — in particular, budtenders and cannabis retail workers — play an important role in changing the public perception around driving high,” said Sam Cole, CDOT Traffic Safety Communications Manager. “CDOT’s online budtender course educates budtenders about impaired driving so they can share accurate information with their customers.”
