UPDATE April 30 – After over 3,400 letters and emails were sent from NORML supporters in opposition to this bill, it was pulled from consideration this year.
UPDATE April 18 – Over 2,000 letters and emails have been sent in opposition to Correa DUI Bill SB289 Please send your email today
Head radio spot to stop SB289
En espanol
Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, is flanked at a Capitol news conference in February by law enforcement and community supporters of SB289. From left are Anthony Munoz, president of the California Narcotic Officers’ Association; Bishop Ron Allen, president of the International Faith Based Coalition; Khristin Cooper; Robert McGrory of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office; Gina McGrory; Scott Seaman, then-president of the California Police Chiefs Association, and Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones. Photo: RENÉE C. BYER, Sacramento Bee
SACRAMENTO: Hearings on Sen. Correa’s zero-tolerance DUI bill SB 289 have been set for April 30th before the State Senate Public Safety Committee. The bill would outlaw driving with ANY detectable amount of marijuana or other controlled substances in the blood unless taken on an MD’s prescription. Because traces of marijuana can remain in the blood for days or even weeks after last use, the bill would potentially criminalize every driver who uses marijuana, no matter how responsibly. Since medical marijuana is not prescribed but recommended, the bill would jeopardize medical as well as non-medical marijuana users – but not drivers who misuse more dangerous prescription drugs.
NORML strongly opposes SB 289 on the grounds that scientific studies have shown that blood tests are incapable of determining driving impairment. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,”It is difficult to establish a relationship between a person’s THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects. … It is inadvisable to try and predict effects based on blood THC concentrations alone.”
ALSO SEE: California legislation often ‘sponsored’ — or even written — by interest groups Sacramento Bee, April 28, 2013
Californians Rally Against Zero-Tolerance DUI Bill
TELL THE STATE SENATE TO SAY NO TO SB 289.
KEY SENATORS (Public Safety Committee):
Chair Loni Hancock Oakland – Berkeley
Sen. Marty Block – San Diego
Sen. Kevin De Leon – East LA, Alhambra, San Marino
Sen. Carol Liu – Glendale, S. Pasadena, Burbank, Claremont, San Dimas, Monrovia
Sen. Darrell Steinberg – Sacramento
Sen. Joel Anderson – Murrieta – Temecula – E. San Diego
Sen. Steve Knight – Palmdale – Lancaster – Victorville – Apple Valley
