Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill into law on April 5 that establishes a standard for tetrahydrocannabinol impairment that is universal for all drivers.

THC is the physiologically active component in marijuana. Previously, only medical marijuana cardholders had to abide by a set limit of 5 ng/ml of THC in their blood. There was no standard for drivers using marijuana illegally.

House Bill 168, sponsored by Rep. David “Doc” Moore, R-Missoula, was a top priority for Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and Montana’s law enforcement community.  

According to Fox’s office, motor vehicle accidents and deaths on Montana roads attributable to marijuana are on the rise. Last year, 218 crashes involved THC and alcohol, compared to 175 in 2011 and 126 in 2010.

“Reducing fatalities on our roadways is of the utmost importance to the Montana Department of Justice,” Fox said. “This new law will help save lives by discouraging people from getting behind the wheel when impaired. It will also give Montana’s prosecutors the tools to punish those who endanger innocent citizens through impaired driving.”