Yes, marijuana will soon be legal to consume recreationally in Canada. That being said, it’s up to the provinces to decide on nearly everything, and that includes how harshly to punish those who drive under the influence of pot. In many provinces, you will be treated as harshly as if you’d had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel, and it’s important to keep that in mind in the coming months as the outcome of driving high could land you in some serious legal trouble. Not only that, you could get hurt, or injure someone else, and for someone who has opted to smoke up instead of drink, that is inevitably that last thing you’d ever have intended.

First off, it would be wise to read up on how your province intends to punish those caught driving under the influence of marijuana. Not to scoff or tremble at the punishment, but to remind yourself that actions have consequences and that an Uber, cab ride, bus or lift home with a friend are much better alternatives than getting behind the wheel stoned. The police will be on high alert for those driving high, and you should plan accordingly by making smarter travel arrangements.

Of course, some people will inevitably make a big mistake and drive under the influence. What then? Well if you’re caught, you’ll probably spend the night in jail and be charged. Next will come the court proceedings and the realization of how serious this is. To top it all off, you may feel isolated, anxious and very guilty, as most folks don’t look to favorably on people with DUIs. It’s fortunate, then, that our legal system, one of the bedrocks of Canadian society, is not formed on people’s opinions but on what really happened and how best to atone for what may have transpired. While a DUI may be terrifying, you absolutely have the right to defend yourself and prove that it will never happen again.

Going about this may be tricky, as most marijuana users don’t actually have an addiction of some sort to point to as the cause of a DUI. Keeping that in mind, it’s often difficult to control one’s marijuana use and seeking proper treatment to learn how to do that is incredibly beneficial in preventing another DUI incident from taking place down the line. The expert addiction specialists at Searidge Foundation have worked with many clients faced with a DUI in the past, and not only can we help you overcome your desire to use substances like marijuana, we can assist you in attaining a more favorable and fair outcome with your DUI case. A carefully worded and succinct letter to the courts can freeze a trial or proceedings and allow you to seek treatment with us. After successfully completing our rehab program, now armed with the tools you need to positively change your life, we are glad to provide you or the court with a full report on your progress. Such a report can have a powerful impact on the minds of the court staff, judge and prosecutor, because if you were successful with us, it’s the absolute truth.

We believe in our clients, in second chances and in fairness. Let us help you get to where you need to be, and give us a call today if you feel your marijuana use has lead you down the wrong path.