2010 Brings New Laws for California Drivers

Most people in California would agree that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a very bad idea. Whether you embrace the moral argument, fearing for the safety of innocent passengers, pedestrians or occupants in other cars or focus more on fiscal ramifications, understanding the enormous financial cost associated with defending a DUI charge (not to mention property damage and personal injury), few would argue that driving while intoxicated is no big deal.

So, why is California’s DUI problem worse than ever? Why are drivers continuing to make poor decisions with regard to drinking and driving? Perhaps it is a combination of factors. On the one hand, being under the influence likely reduces a driver’s ability to determine whether they are legally competent to get behind the wheel, especially those with chronic alcohol or substance abuse problems. On the other hand, California has some pretty lenient DUI laws and, when combined with the relatively small chance of begin pulled over, offers very little in the way of deterrence. … Continue Reading

Issues Surrounding Medical Marijuana Use in California

In California, the first of 13 states to decriminalize cannabis (marijuana) for medical use, controversy still surrounds the issue of medical marijuana use. Despite state law that permits cultivation or possession of cannabis by seriously ill patients on the recommendation of their physician, federal law still prohibits obtaining, possessing or cultivating marijuana for any purpose. Cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no generally recognized medical use.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has continued to carry out raids on medical marijuana growers in California. … Continue Reading

Judicial Attitudes toward Drug and Alcohol Abuse in California

By Millie Anne Cavanaugh, Esq.

Approximately 36 million people live in California. It is estimated that drug and alcohol abuse costs the citizens of California approximately $44 billion per year in loss of productivity, health care, substance abuse prevention programs, substance abuse treatment programs and criminal justice programs. The cost is split between drugs and alcohol at roughly $22 billion each. The number of yearly deaths attributed to each type of abuse is also equally divided at 3,600 each.

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