Does weed dilate your pupils? It varies. Studies show that marijuana usage can have varying effects on people. Some individuals exhibit pupil dilation, while others show decreased pupil diameter. Therefore, dilated pupils should not serve as a common sign of marijuana usage.
Sometimes, police officers try to use pupil dilation as a reason to make an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). You can address these charges head-on with a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles. You can also call us or complete our online contact form to learn more.
Will Weed Cause Dilated Pupils?
According to studies recorded in the National Library of Medicine, cannabis has controversial effects on pupil dilation. Some official medical studies show that pupil size increases after marijuana usage, while others indicate pupil constriction, and some indicate that no changes occur.
Some healthcare professionals claim that the chances of pupil size variation are so minor that they are hard to notice.
Therefore, it appears that dilated pupils do not always indicate marijuana usage and can, instead, indicate the usage of other substances.
What Are the Effects of Marijuana on Your Eyes?
The use of marijuana is known to cause red or bloodshot eyes in a majority of cases. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis can lower your blood pressure, which causes your blood vessels to dilate, leaving your eyes red and bloodshot.
A study on the effects of smoking cannabis on visual function and driving performance indicated that marijuana usage can result in forms of visual impairment, including differences in visual acuity, blurry vision, and problems with distance vision.
Therefore, it’s essential not to drive under the influence of cannabis.
What Are the Other Effects of Cannabis?
The other physical and psychological effects of cannabis can include:
- Altered perception of time
- Mood swings
- Increased heart rate
- Impaired body movement (move slower and more lethargically)
- Impaired memory
- Slowed reaction time
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Slower breathing (and deeper breaths)
- Nausea and vomiting (with high doses)
- Hallucinations (with high doses)
- Delusions (with high doses)
- Psychosis (with high doses)
Experiencing any of these physical and psychological effects prevents you from being able to operate a motor vehicle safely. Therefore, most states have DUI laws, including California. These laws prohibit people from driving while impaired by marijuana.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Cannabis?
Routinely getting high from cannabis can be a detriment to your brain function. It can ruin your brain’s memory, problem-solving, and learning processes. Additionally, smoking may cause damage to your lungs, similar to smoking cigarettes, if you are inhaling marijuana repeatedly.
How Do Police Officers Check for Marijuana Usage?
Police officers use a series of field sobriety tests to draw a conclusion on your sobriety from marijuana. The three major field sobriety tests are:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
- Walk and Turn Test
- One Leg Stand Test
These standardized exercises test the effects of intoxication rather than the actual intoxication itself. Since the physical and psychoactive effects of getting high from marijuana can be quite similar to getting drunk from alcohol, they use the same field sobriety tests.
You will face an arrest if the officer believes beyond reasonable doubt that you were impaired while driving the motor vehicle.
Are There Additional Tests for Marijuana Usage?
The police have additional tests they may perform once you arrive at the police station that can better determine the actual amount of intoxication. How do cops test for a weed DUI? They may perform a blood or urine test.
Weed shows up in a physical urine test for some time after you last use the substance.
It is essential to understand that no law requires you to incriminate yourself by obliging you to perform these field sobriety tests. Do not agree to participate in a field sobriety test if you have been driving while high on marijuana.
Why Does California Test You for Marijuana?
Police officers in California test drivers for marijuana usage in some cases because it’s against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While the state legalized cannabis usage, the blurred vision and other potential side-effects of usage can make it dangerous to use on the road.
It is important to know marijuana’s effects on your body before you decide to inhale, consume, or smoke it. Please take nothing in this article as an endorsement of the use of illegal narcotics or alcohol or the misuse of prescription medications.
It is also important to know that you should never get behind the wheel if you are high on marijuana. However, if you get charged with a DUI, a DUI attorney can help uphold your civil rights and provide the best defense.
Should You Hire a DUI Lawyer for Marijuana-Related Charges?
The professionals recommend hiring a criminal defense attorney who specializes in DUI charges after any arrest. It does not matter if you face charges for alcohol intoxication or marijuana intoxication. Having a DUI lawyer defend you is a wise decision.
An attorney can help to ensure that the prosecution or the judge does not infringe on your civil rights. Experienced DUI attorneys intend to either get you off the hook or minimize penalties as much as possible. To do this, they may:
- Gather evidence
- Request additional tests of your blood and urine
- Consult with experts and witnesses
- Disprove the prosecution’s evidence as either misleading or illegally obtained
You can protect your rights after an arrest by getting help right away.
Find Out if Weed Dilates Your Pupils
According to medical professionals, smoking week or otherwise using marijuana causes dilation of pupils in some people. Other people get pinpoint pupils, while some individuals show no changes to their eyes in response to light after using pot.
Therefore, if the police arrest you for driving under the influence due to pupil dilation, your lawyer may have a chance to push back on this claim. You can learn more about DUI charges for pot usage when you contact us.
