Police suspend 22 licences after drivers test positive for THC

Impaired driving due to cannabis is a growing concern for police in Saskatchewan.

A two-day traffic blitz in east-central Saskatchewan this month saw police suspend 22 licences after drivers tested positive for THC.

Police with Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan were on the lookout for impaired drivers, and stopped 445 vehicles in the areas around Humboldt, Lanigan, Punnichy, Rose Valley, Wadena and Wynyard on Dec. 1 and 2.

READ MORE:

• Cannabis surpasses alcohol at sobriety checkpoints in Saskatoon
• College Drive checkstop causes frustration for Rams, Huskies fans
• RCMP busts 14 drivers impaired by cannabis at Highway 11 checkstop

In addition to the 22 impaired drivers who allegedly tested positive for THC on an approved screening device, police also issued three Criminal Code charges for impaired driving and suspended the licences of three drivers with a blood-alcohol concentration between .04 and .08.

The blitz also saw police issue 97 tickets and 228 warnings.

Also, the RCMP said a warrant search of a vehicle during the two-day blitz saw officers seize about 120 grams of cannabis, edibles and drug paraphernalia.

The RCMP said cannabis use is concerning.

“Officers remind the public that in Saskatchewan, your licence can be suspended for three days if an officer determines you have recently used cannabis before driving,” the RCMP said in a statement. “You can also be charged under the Criminal Code if driving while impaired by cannabis.”

Police advised anyone using cannabis or alcohol to plan ahead for a safe ride.

“Don’t take a chance,” the Mounties added. “If you question whether you’re ‘too impaired to drive or not,’ you likely are.”