Combatting Marihuana-Impaired Driving

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM



0

PAAM Traffic Safety Training Program Webinar Series: 

Combatting Marihuana-Impaired Driving

 

7 – Part Series

Wednesdays 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST

September – October – November

 

OVERVIEW:

 

Part 1 & 2: Wednesday, September 15 & 29, 2021 – Update on Michigan’s Marihuana Laws

In these two sessions, Michigan Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Kenneth Stecker will provide a comprehensive overview of Michigan’s marihuana laws—the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act.  These sessions will educate prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and traffic safety professionals on how marihuana is covered under Michigan’s Operating While Intoxicated statutes, important Michigan case law dealing with marihuana, and issues other states have had with the legalization of marihuana. 

Part 3: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 – Prosecuting the Marihuana-Impaired Driver

With the legalization of both medicinal and recreational marihuana nationwide, prosecutors now face unique challenges in presenting OWI cases involving marihuana impairment.  Colorado was one of the first states to legalize marihuana for recreational use, and its prosecutors have gained great insight into the unique issues such legalization has caused.  Colorado TSRP Jennifer Knudsen will provide insight into the growing complexities of prosecuting a marihuana OWI case, and will discuss tips from her state that will help prosecutors prepare for prosecuting these difficult cases.

Part 4: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 – Investigating the Marihuana-Impaired Driver

With marihuana-impaired driving on the rise, law enforcement officers must be prepared to thoroughly investigate these drivers on the road.  Marihuana-impaired driving investigations may be challenging for law enforcement in ways that are different than alcohol-impaired driving investigations.  Michigan State Police Sergeant Jim Janes will focus on these differences and what road officers need to know when investigating a marihuana-impaired driver.  Sergeant Janes will discuss the tools and techniques available to officers to help build a strong case of impairment in these types of cases.    

Part 5: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – Putting the Pieces Together: Trying a Marihuana-Impaired Driving Case from a Prosecutor and DRE Perspective

Marihuana-impaired driving cases can be some of the most challenging cases to try for OWI prosecutors.  From public perceptions that marihuana is not as bad as alcohol to aggressive OWI defense attorneys, there are many obstacles a prosecutor will need to overcome.  In this session, St. Clair County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Leyva and DRE-trained St. Clair County Deputy Josh Goodrich will discuss ways to overcome some of these obstacles including the issue of “low levels” of THC and no “bad driving” in these types of cases.  They will discuss a marihuana-impaired driving case they worked on together from their respective positions and discuss the importance of collaboration on these cases. 

Part 6: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – Old Drug, New Issues: Cannabis and OWI in the Recreational Age

Former Michigan State Police Toxicologist Dr. Michele Glinn will provide an overview of the historical and current legal landscape of marihuana use from a toxicology perspective.  Dr. Glinn will also discuss what research shows about the effects of marihuana on driving and highlight a marihuana-impaired driving case. 

Part 7: Wednesday, November 11, 2021 – The Implications of Field Sobriety Test Evidence in Marihuana-Impaired Driving Cases

This session will provide an overview of field sobriety test evidence as it relates to marihuana-impaired driving cases.  Oregon Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Deena Ryerson and Wyoming Traffic Safety Resource Prosecugor Ashley Schluck will discuss defense challenges in the use of field sobriety test evidence for marihuana impairment.  The session will further cover various court rulings on this issue and how prosecutors and law enforcement officers can prepare to deal with challenges to the admission of field sobriety test evidence. 

REGISTRATION

There is no charge to attend this webinar series, but you must register in advance. To register for the webinar series, go to https://mipaam.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DA4rgNC0T8-jezfBtyRwNg

After registering you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with instructions on how to join the webinar.  Please make sure you retain the confirmation email sent to you.  Please be careful to enter your email address correctly.  You will not be able to join the webinar if you do not receive a confirmation email from Zoom. 

This series will be recorded. If you will be unable to attend this webinar at the scheduled time but would still like to watch it, please go ahead and register as indicated.  Everyone who is registered will receive a link to the recording of the webinar regardless of whether or not they attended.

Each webinar course is approved for 1 hour of credit under PAAM’s recommended CLE Best Practice.

HANDOUTS

The training handouts, if any, will be made available the day of each webinar.

If you have any questions or need any assistance registering for the webinar, please feel free to contact Amy Gronowski at gronowskia@michigan.gov or at 517-643-2114.

_._,_._,_