DUI 

California Office of Traffic Safety Awards Drugged Driving Grant to the County of Monterey Health Department for Cannabis Education Program

The County of Monterey Health Department is pleased to announce they are the recipient of a $168,862 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Cannabis Education Program in the Public Health Bureau. The grant will fund community educational outreach and coordinated strategies focused on college-aged youth and young adults to prevent fatalities and injuries as a result of driving while under the influence of cannabis or cannabis and alcohol. 

"We are honored to receive this grant, which will strengthen our initiatives to prevent drug-impaired driving and support safer communities,” said Elaine Narciso, Health Program Coordinator, County of Monterey Health Department. “By providing education and raising awareness among college students and young adults, we aim to prevent cannabis-impaired driving and reduce related crashes and injuries. We’re committed to shifting community norms and promoting responsible driving behaviors." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cannabis is the second most often substance associated with impaired driving, following alcohol. Cannabis use can slow reaction time, decrease the ability to make quick decisions, and reduce coordination, leading to poor outcomes on our roadways.  

Grant funds will support a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at reducing driving under the influence of cannabis or cannabis and alcohol, including:
• Education and outreach events designed to inform and engage community members on the risks and consequences of drug-impaired driving
• Strategic partnerships with local bars and cannabis dispensaries to promote responsible use practices and raise awareness among young adults aged 21 and over 
• Collaborative outreach efforts at local colleges to educate students and reinforce safe driving behaviors

“Through a comprehensive educational approach, we’re working toward a future where everyone will be safe on California roads,” OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty said. “By encouraging people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”

Grant funded activities will run through September 2026. 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, visit Cannabis Education | County of Monterey, CA. 

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Cannabis and the road: what you need to know

Combining cannabis with alcohol significantly decreases your ability to drive safely. It does NOT make driving safer or lessen the effects of alcohol. Legal use of medical cannabis can lead to a DUI.

• Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal.
• Drug-impaired driving has the same penalties as alcohol-impaired driving.
• People who use cannabis cannot be considered “designated drivers” even if they are abstaining from alcohol.
• The effects of edibles are unpredictable. They can take between 30 to 90 minutes to take effect, and the high can last up to 12 hours. 

To get more facts about cannabis visit: decodedca.org/