Police crackdown on marijuana-impaired driving this Thanksgiving

OG article by Isabel Dougherty

November 27, 2025

As Thanksgiving approaches, law enforcement intensifies efforts to curb impaired driving, focusing on marijuana users. David Olney, police chief of the Village of Boonville and a senior drug recognition expert in New York, stresses the serious consequences of driving under the influence of marijuana. He notes that consuming marijuana in a vehicle is now treated as a violation equivalent to drinking an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, which is prohibited. Penalties include substantial civil and criminal fines, increased insurance rates, and a conviction that remains on record for ten years. Olney emphasizes the tragic outcomes of such incidents, stating that it is deeply unfortunate to deliver death notifications to families, and underscores the importance of traffic enforcement in preventing loss of life. Additionally, workers at recreational marijuana shops advise customers to wait at least eight hours after consuming cannabis before operating a vehicle. Jason Shifflett, a worker at Loudpack Exotics, recommends that individuals do not drive until at least eight hours have passed since consumption. Authorities encourage those celebrating to utilize ride-share services or alternative transportation methods to promote a safe holiday season.