Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. Now many states like Hawaii and California are looking to possibly follow suit and are examining related issues like driving while high laws, reports West Hawaii Today.

But while Washington has adopted laws making it illegal to drive while having a THC level (the active ingredient in marijuana) above five nanograms, many critics claim that this number is random and not reflective of someone's ability to drive after smoking pot. So the question remains, "how stoned is too stoned to drive?"

A UCLA professor and one of the nation's leading experts on marijuana's effects on driving calls Washington's law far too strict and potentially leading to convictions of sober drivers. A reason may be that THC may be stored in someone's body such as in fat cells for a long period of time. So the THC may be detectable long after someone has smoked the marijuana and has felt the effects. However, no one seems to know the answer as to what the appropriate amount should be to determine how high is too high.

On the other hand, there are just as many voices calling for an even stricter DUI standard. For example, a 2 nanogram level was proposed in California. This standard would have essentially set a zero tolerance policy on driving after smoking pot.

Contact a Seattle DUI Attorney

If you have been charged with driving under the influence of pot, you will want to work with an experienced Seattle DUI attorney. It can be difficult to prove that someone was too high to drive. In addition, the accuracy of tests showing THC levels may be called into question.

To learn how an attorney can help your case, contact Wolff Criminal Defense by calling 425-284-2000.