Tag Archives: Jennifer Barry

Washington State Leads the Nation in Stoned Driver Fatalities

On July 15, 2015, two stoned driver accidents — one fatal — occurred in Spokane, Washington, on the same day.  A motorcyclist  was seriously injured in the first accident.  An hour and a half later, a bicyclist killed was killed.  

The state of Washington leads the nation with 27% of their fatal accidents being caused by drivers using marijuana, according to Phillip Drum, PharmD.   (In 2013 there Continue reading Washington State Leads the Nation in Stoned Driver Fatalities

Shaky Start for Oregon Marijuana Laws

Marijuana legalization is off to a shaky start in Oregon. Less than a week after commercial marijuana shops opened, Elizabeth Kemble was hit by the car of a stoned driver while crossing the street. She died 11 hours later, on October 5. The driver admitted to smoking pot behind the wheel. By all accounts, Kemble was a wonderful person who was born in El Salvador and spent much of her free time doing volunteer work to help others.

Since marijuana stores opened in Oregon October 1, it took no time for a company to violate the rules by offering free cannabis-infused lozenges. Stores are not allowed to distribute edibles at this time.  (Photo courtesy of SAM Oregon). The arrest of several youths in Redmond near a school shows that Oregon marijuana laws are not successful in keeping it away from youth.

On September 24, Diane Davidoff fatally shot her 17-year-old son, Jake, in the back in Gresham, near Portland.  Continue reading Shaky Start for Oregon Marijuana Laws