Driving after Using Cannabis in Israel
The article provides you with practical advice from a lawyer on what to do if you are caught driving after using cannabis in Israel. The following article explains Israeli law on driving while there are traces of marijuana in your body.
The Law Prohibiting Driving after Using Cannabis in Israel
In Israel, driving under the influence of cannabis or other illicit drugs falls under the category of “driving under the influence” (DUI) and is therefore treated similarly to driving while drunk. Albeit, driving under the influence of illicit drugs, including marijuana, is treated more severely than driving under the influence of alcohol because the drugs had been consumed illegally. Problematically, because THC and other cannabinoids linger in a person’s body much longer than alcohol, it is possible to convict someone of driving under the influence even if it has been days since that person has consumed the drug.
The Penalty for Driving while High
Driving under the influence of intoxicants is considered one of the most severe driving violations in Israel. Moreover, driving after the use of illegal drugs is treated even more harshly than driving under the influence of alcohol. If you are caught driving under the influence of marijuana or another illegal drug, the police will likely immediately suspend your license for 30 days prior to your trial. If convicted of the offense in court, the penalty is usually a two-year suspension of one’s license. However, if this is a repeated offense, the penalty may even include prison time.
What about Medical Marijuana?
In 2020, an Israeli judge set an important legal precedent regarding driving after using medical marijuana. Individuals who have a license to consume cannabis for medicinal purposes (about 85,000 people in Israel) cannot be convicted of driving under the influence merely because THC and other cannabinoids were found in their system.
It is recognized that these chemicals continue to persist in the user’s body long after the effect of the drug has waned and their capacity to drive becomes unimpaired. Therefore, police refrain from giving cannabis-related DUI citations to people who have a license to use medical marijuana. We advise anyone who is in this category to always carry their marijuana license with them. Please note that it is still technically illegal and certainly inadvisable to drive while actively under the influence of cannabis.
Caught Driving while High – Lawyer’s Advice
If you are caught driving after using cannabis in Israel, we strongly recommend that you comply with the police officer’s request to take a sobriety test. Refusing to take a test can be used as evidence against you. Take note of the police officer’s behavior when you are pulled over, try to record their conduct with your smartphone, and make sure their body camera is on. If a police officer did not follow proper protocol, you may have a stronger case to shorten the duration of your punishment or even have your case dismissed. Finally, we strongly suggest hiring a lawyer experienced in traffic law to represent you in court.
Additional Articles of Interest
We have many articles that may be of interest on our website, including what to do if you’re in a car accident, if you refuse a drunk driving test, if you’re in a hit and run, and more.
Contact Us
Our law offices specialize in traffic law among other legal fields. If this article, Driving after Using Cannabis in Israel, leaves you with more questions, feel free to contact us. If you seek legal assistance with this issue, Advocate Moti Orange would be pleased to help you.
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