While CBD is legal in Louisiana, with the increased usage comes the question of whether it could cause side effects that could be dangerous if the substance is used before driving. While CBD is only regulated to treat epilepsy, it is available in Louisiana over the counter, and it is used by people to manage conditions ranging from anxiety to pain to insomnia. CBD is an active ingredient in marijuana, but unlike marijuana which contains THC, CBD contains less than 0.3% of THC, the chemical in marijuana that produces the euphoric high in marijuana. Many people who regularly use CBD claim that it helps them manage a range of conditions. While CBD’s benefits seem to outweigh the risks, it is important to note that taking CBD can come with some side effects. According to Harvard Health, CBD side effects include nausea, fatigue, and irritability. While these side effects are relatively minor, fatigue when driving can pose a danger to others on the road. CBD users who take the substance regularly need to consider the ways it can affect their alertness and refrain from using it before getting behind the wheel. Many substances, including cold medicine, can impact a person’s ability to drive. At the end of the day, individuals taking substances to treat medical conditions or those taking substances regularly should take precautions before getting behind the wheel.

Regulators are still patching together regulations for CBD in Louisiana. While the substance is available for sale, sellers are required to submit their products for regular testing to ensure that the THC levels don’t exceed 0.3%. It isn’t clear whether regulations will ever extend to restricting CBD and driving because CBD seems to have more of an effect similar to cold medicine, more likely to produce fatigue than a high. But, when it comes to driving, fatigued driving can also have an effect on driver safety. If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident or truck accident and you suspect that the other driver might have been under the influence of CBD or fatigued in a manner that interferes with the driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle, you and your family may be able to seek damages for your losses. Victims of car accidents that take place due to another driver’s neglect or negligence have the right to seek damages for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses. Reach out to the car accident law firm at the Doyle Law Firm in Houma, Louisiana today.

CBD and the Law in Louisiana

CBD was only recently made legal for over the counter purchase in Louisiana. Only people over 18 years of age are permitted to purchase it and it is not legal in certain forms, such as in edible or drinkable form or in vape cartridges. Louisiana law requires for specific labeling and requires that companies exercise caution before marketing the products for their ability to treat certain conditions. Because marijuana products were treated as controlled substances for years, there hasn’t been much research on the potential benefits of these substances. Now, with CBD on the market, and with marijuana legal in many states, more research can be done.

Those who use CBD should do so with caution for a number of reasons. There have been reports that in drug tests, CBD could cause a false positive, according to the New York Times. This means that individuals who have to undergo drug tests because of a car accident, because of probation, for employment, or due to another legal reason should be cautious because sometimes CBD can falsely indicate the presence of THC. Clearly the drug tests used in a legal setting need to be better refined, but when it comes to driving, drug tests for marijuana already have their limitations. The presence of THC in a driving drug test doesn’t always indicate that a person was “high” while driving because THC can stay in a person’s system for some time after. So, when it comes to CBD use and driving, common sense, safety, and precautions are important.

If you suspect that another driver’s use of CBD resulted in your crash, or that another driver’s fatigue resulted in your accident, you may have rights under the law. Victims of car accidents may have the right to seek damages for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs. The Doyle Law Firm is a car accident law firm in Houma, Louisiana that may be able to help you seek damages for your losses after a crash, but you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law. Reach out to the Doyle Law Firm today or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with our car accident lawyer.