Since Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana in 2014, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has used its unique position to remain on the forefront of traffic safety campaigns for marijuana-impaired driving. CDOT recently launched its new Drugged Driving Colorado website, DriveHighDUI.com, which features telling insights, current data, and a lengthy list of resources to help inform not only Coloradans but marijuana consumers and industry professionals nationwide. As communication shifts to a heavy online focus amid COVID-19, providing accurate and detailed information from a distance is more necessary than ever.   

Consumer Education

Consumer health and safety are important to all cannabis businesses, yet information on driving impaired can be hard to come by. CDOT’s website has educational resources that answer commonly asked questions and provide data and downloadable social media graphics, videos, and more. CDOT encourages the free use of its resources and information for in-store screens, website education pages, email blasts, blog/newsletter posts, or at conferences and trade shows. 

Frontline Employee Knowledge

Budtenders, manufacturing representatives, and trade publications are the voices most trusted by cannabis consumers. Educating all staff can help dispel false perceptions of cannabis-impaired driving and help change behaviors around driving high. Learn the basics and keep up with the latest news on the Featured News section of DriveHighDUI.com. If you have industry news or an article idea, please reach out to CDOT Traffic Safety Manager Sam Cole at sam.cole@state.co.us.

Community Relations — Be A Valued Resource

Building relationships with the communities in which they operate is crucial to the health and wellbeing of the cannabis industry. CDOT has partnered with health care organizations, nonprofits, universities, and neighborhood groups to communicate the dangers of driving high. Affecting change takes cooperation — and cannabis companies can use these resources to open a dialogue with local, state, or national organizations to help spread the word. 

Impaired driving from alcohol and/or other drugs is one of the leading causes of traffic deaths on Colorado’s roads, accounting for approximately one-quarter of all fatalities. This is an issue that affects all of us. CDOT hopes its ongoing efforts to educate cannabis consumers extend beyond Colorado’s borders and we encourage NCIA members and industry organizations across the nation to take advantage of the available resources so we can lead by example and keep our communities safe.