The Risks of Driving High in Wyoming

While many states have changed their laws about cannabis, it remains illegal in Wyoming and at the federal level. Regardless of legal status, it is illegal in all 50 states to drive high on cannabis. This post breaks down why driving high is illegal and explains the risks of impaired driving in Wyoming. 

What happens to your body on cannabis? 

Cannabis can affect both your brain and body in numerous ways. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering chemical in marijuana, is found in leaves, flowers, stems and seeds.  

In the short term, getting high alters your senses, perception of time and mood in addition to your ability to think, problem-solve and remember. It can also change your movements, slowing down your reaction time or decreasing your coordination.  

Why is driving high illegal in Wyoming and across the United States? 

Driving takes a lot of skill, attention and dexterity. You must multitask by operating the vehicle, watching for signs and pedestrians while safely navigating the road with other drivers and around obstacles like construction barricades or wildlife. You need to use multiple senses including sight and sound as well as several different skills from judging distances accurately to reacting quickly. 

Using cannabis can impact your ability to make decisions and how long it takes you to react. This is dangerous while driving because driving requires quick, decisive action and fast reaction times. Cannabis can change your coordination and movements, making it more difficult to perform the necessary maneuvers needed to do to properly operate a vehicle. For example, you might not use your turn signals accurately, which could cause confusion with other drivers, or you may not brake fast enough, increasing your risk of crashing. Cannabis can distort your senses and your perception, which could make it more challenging for you to accurately judge distances and driving situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cannabis is the second most often associated substance involved with impaired driving.  

To sum it up, driving under the influence of cannabis is dangerous, which is why it’s illegal in Wyoming and in all 50 states. 

What are the risks of driving high on cannabis in Wyoming? 

Driving high is dangerous for you and for other drivers and pedestrians. As discussed earlier, driving under the influence of cannabis can increase your risk of a vehicle crash. Driving high on cannabis is also risky from a legal perspective. 

Possessing, distributing, cultivating, selling or using cannabis is a criminal offense in Wyoming. Wyoming has one of the strictest cannabis laws in the country. Here are the penalties for Wyoming cannabis-impaired-driving violators: 

• First offense 
  • Punishment up to six months in jail, a maximum fine of $750, or both. 
  • The offender’s license will be revoked. 
  • Mandatory substance-abuse assessment. 
• Second offense within 10 years of the first offense 
  • Punishment of at least 7 days and up to six months in jail. 
  • Offender cannot be released on probation or suspended sentence until they have served at least 7 days in jail. 
  • Mandatory substance-abuse assessment. 
  • Fine between $200–750. 
  • The offender’s license will be revoked. 
• Third offense within 10 years of the first offense 
  • Punishment of at least 30 days and up to six months in jail. 
  • Offender cannot be released on probation or suspended sentence until they have served at least 30 days in jail. 
  • Mandatory substance-abuse assessment. 
  • The offender’s license will be revoked. 
• Fourth or subsequent possession offense within 10 years of the first offense 
  • This is considered a felony offense. 
  • Punishable with a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. 
  • The offender’s license will be revoked. 

Driving under the influence of cannabis comes with great risks, not just to your safety and the safety of others but also with the law. 

Don’t risk driving high  

If you intend to drive, don’t consume drugs or drink alcohol. Wyoming’s roads belong to everyone, so let’s ensure everyone is safe on our roads. That’s the mission of Wyoming’s Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving (WYGCID): end impaired driving in Wyoming. Learn more about drug-impaired driving here.