Blake is sharing his experience as part of our “Personal Stories” series, which invites medicinal cannabis patients to share with the community how drug driving laws are impacting their quality of life. If you’d like to share your story, please email us at hello@drivechangemc.com.au
It’s time that medicinal cannabis patients in Queensland are given driving defence.
I’m a medicinal cannabis patient, and every day I worry that if I were to get drug tested that it would screen positive.
It’s not fair that I should have to worry about this, since using my medicine doesn’t mean I drive when I’m impaired. Having access to medicinal cannabis has been a godsend for my condition, but knowing about the consequences if I test positive in a drug test only brings anxiety.
I use medicinal cannabis to treat my bipolar disorder. I’ve grappled with this for a long time, and access to medicinal cannabis has helped to save my life.
However, the laws make it seem like the system still doesn’t accept medicinal cannabis. It’s unreasonable to suggest to people who use medicinal cannabis that they can “just go without for a few days” to be able to drive. The laws should take into account having THC in your system doesn’t mean you’re impaired.
I have the proper paperwork from the TGA, stating that THC may take up to five days for most of the THC to leave your system. To be able to work, I can’t wait that long before driving again. These laws are keeping me out of work and struggling to earn an income. If I choose to drive anyway, I am at risk of losing my license, even if I’m not impaired. It’s just not fair.
