Editor:
Editor's note: this letter was submitted by a youth as part of a resolution agreement developed during a Restorative Justice conference. This youth also completed 10 hours of community service and an essay on the effects of marijuana use. He has given permission to publish this letter anonymously and indicated onhis evaluation of the process that he would not commit a similar offence in the future.
I was recently out smoking weed with a buddy. We smoked in the car and then my friend got out at his house and I went home.
On my way home I saw the police and I continued on my way. The police car started following me and eventually pulled me over. The officer came up to my car, which reeked of marijuana and she asked me to get out of the car because they needed to search it.
I handed what was left of the marijuana to the officer and gave them my pipe as well. I then got in the back of the police cruiser, while the officer searched my car. She found a bong and some rollies.
I ended up getting a ticket, my car was towed away, and I was given a 24-hour suspension for being high and driving. The tow truck cost me $110 and the ticket was $112.
Overall, my driving stoned could have had worse consequences. I could have got into an accident or I could have hurt an innocent person because of my stupidity to drive while stoned. As the law sees it, driving stoned is just as bad as driving while drunk and most people think otherwise. The fact is, marijuana does impair your driving skills and these impairments can last up to four hours, even when the high is gone.
Community Justice Program
