How Using Cannabis Products Impacts Your Rights In A Bradenton Car Accident
There is considerable evidence that using cannabis products in the form of vape pens, flower, and edibles can have positive impacts on your health. Marijuana in Bradenton is available via prescription while similar types of hemp products can easily be purchased over the counter. All can have psychotropic effects, leaving users with a pleasant ‘high’. However, having even small amounts in your system can cause serious driving impairments. Our Bradenton car accident lawyer explains how this could impact your rights to compensation in a claim.
Proposed Changes In Bradenton Marijuana Laws And How Cannabis Products Impact Drivers
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is one of many government agencies that have published recent studies documenting the benefits of cannabis products. Research shows it may be successful in helping to treat a variety of serious conditions, from cancer and chronic pain to depression and other mental health disorders. However, the federal government still has not legalized it, although it is permitted for both medicinal and recreational use in a number of states.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who was previously a strong voice against marijuana legalization, recently suggested the Florida Supreme Court put the issue on the upcoming ballot in 2024. According to a January 2024 Forbes report, if approved the measure would appear this November. Voters can then decide if Florida should join the 24 other states that currently allow marijuana use among residents.
Currently, only medical marijuana is available in Bradenton and requires a doctor’s prescription. However, under the Farm Bill, hemp products made from parts of the cannabis plant are available to the general public. They are legally required to contain smaller amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but can still leave users feeling ‘high’. This can have dangerous impacts when behind the wheel, resulting in the following:
- Vision disturbances;
- Increased distraction;
- Impaired judgment;
- Reduced reflexes.
If A Car Accident Happens While Using Cannabis Products
Using cannabis products and getting behind the wheel could have disastrous consequences, making car accidents in Bradenton more likely to happen. If others are injured as a result, you could be liable for your own medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs, as well as theirs, regardless of whether your cannabis use played a role in the crash.
Even if you are not under the influence at the time but have THC in your system, you could end up being denied compensation. This could happen in any of the following situations:
- You use legally prescribed cannabis products;
- You use hemp products containing small amounts of THC on a regular basis;
- You have used illegally obtained marijuana at any point over the past several months.
Contact Our Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer
As cannabis use becomes more widespread, it is creating serious problems in terms of car accidents in Bradenton. To protect yourself and your rights to compensation, get the professional legal representation you need at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely. Give us a call or contact our Bradenton car accident lawyer online and request a consultation today.
Source:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2024/01/23/florida-to-vote-on-marijuana-legalization-on-2024-ballot-desantis-suggests/?sh=23cd3ad1512c