KS law enforcement gear up ahead of 420
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Ahead of an unofficial holiday Kansas law enforcement is ramping up patrols for potheads.
April 20, otherwise known as 420 is this upcoming Sunday. The day is popular for those that partake of marijuana consumption. Increased enforcement will be seen across the Sunflower State starting Friday april 18, including sobriety checkpoints, concentrated patrols, drug sniffing canines and more.
The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) has a new method to catch marijuana users. Eight months ago, the agency began using an oral fluid instrument to conduct test roadside instead of having to wait for a blood test.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) told 27 News the myth some smokers have about driving safe while under the influence couldn't be further from reality.
“If you look at the social media you’d think that marijuana makes you a safer driver, but all the research says that’s just not true," KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager, Gary Herman said. "One of the testimonials that I saw said that they drive slower because when they’re under the influence things slow down for them, but what the research shows, people actually speed up. So their perception is they're driving slower, but the actual facts are they're driving faster.”
Herman said a DUI is more than just a ticket, it's an arrestable offence which could cost you up to $10,000 dollars after legal fees, court cost and treatment.
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