While CBD oil is legal in Minneapolis, and is quite popular, some might wonder whether there might be side effects from taking CBD that could potentially impair a driver. First of all, let’s take a closer look at what CBD is and what it isn’t. While CBD is an active ingredient in marijuana, it is derived from the hemp plant, and doesn’t produce the “high” associated with marijuana. While CBD claims to help alleviate a range of health issues, there is only one health treatment for which CBD has been explicitly approved: epilepsy. According to Harvard Health, robust research supports the use of CBD to treat epileptic seizures. While there is some preliminary research into the use of CBD to treat pain and insomnia, more studies need to be performed. Still, many who take over-the-counter CBD to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia, and a range of other health conditions swear by it. While many people take CBD, it is important to note that CBD is not without side effects. According to Harvard Health, the side effects of CBD include fatigue, irritability, and nausea. While these side effects might seem minor, if you are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, they could potentially impair you as a driver or even make you a risk to others on the road.
What are your rights if you believe you were hurt in a car accident because another driver might have been under the influence? Driving while impaired is against the law in Minnesota. It doesn’t matter what the source of the impairment is. People can be impaired from using CBD, but they can also be impaired from taking cold medicine, or from drinking. If the police believe a driver might have been impaired behind the wheel, this driver might be held responsible for the accident. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that may be able to assist you with your car accident claim if you were hurt in a crash. Our personal injury lawyers can review your case, the circumstances of your accident, and identify negligent parties. We may be able to negotiate with insurance companies to help you get the settlement you may deserve under the law.
CBD and the Law
While CBD is legal in Minnesota, there have been reports that individuals who have been taking CBD have sometimes also tested positive for marijuana, even when these individuals were only consuming CBD. The New York Times reports that CBD contains small amounts of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. In order to be legal, CBD must contain less than 0.3 percent THC. However, when police officers test individuals for marijuana use, sometimes this small amount of THC in CBD can trigger a false positive result. In some cases, tests can mistake CBD for THC, with disastrous results if the test is being used to determine probation and other serious high-stakes decisions. However, when it comes to car accidents, does it make a difference?
It is notoriously difficult to gauge the accuracy of a marijuana test. A person can have marijuana in their system long after the “high” wears off. For this reason, blood tests that detect marijuana in a person’s system can be seen as unreliable. Ultimately, when it comes to THC or CBD, how a person behaves at the scene of the accident, and whether the person appears to be intoxicated will often determine whether the person faces charges for intoxicated driving. Police officers are trained to watch for drivers who appear to be impaired. This is why it is important to report an accident to police, even if the crash might appear minor. Police are trained to determine whether the other driver may be impaired.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reach out to the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino today. Our car accident attorneys may be able to help you if an inebriated or intoxicated driver caused your accident. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law.
How a Car Accident Law Firm Can Help You
A personal injury law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota may be able to help you seek damages if you’ve been hurt in a car accident. Your car insurance company may be able to cover many of the losses stemming from a crash. However, if your insurance company doesn’t cover all losses, you may be able to make up the difference by suing the negligent party for damages. Have questions about your rights after a car accident? Reach out to the car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino today. Or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get matched with a car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino.