We’re told if at first you don't succeed to try again, and that's what one Western Slope Senator is doing to create harsher punishments for people who drive under the influence of marijuana.

The bill was revived in a three-day special session back in May, but later died following a tie in the state senate.

Senator Steve King says that happened because one GOP senator who favored the idea during the regular session didn't attend the special session. That’s why he's taking it back to the Senate floor this January.

"Smoking marijuana, smoking and ingesting THC and then driving is every bit as dangerous as alcohol or prescription drugs," King said.

The Senator will be re-introducing a bill to the senate in January to crack down on people who smoke marijuana and then get behind the wheel.

"In 2011 we had 1,266 people contacted driving a motor vehicle having ingested THC," King said.

King says he understands in the state of Colorado people have the right to smoke weed for medical purposes, and he says his bill wouldn't take that right away. It would just make people plan ahead.

"If you smoke marijuana then you need to call a ride, call a taxi, call a friend to give you a ride, walk, but don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle because you're putting us, our children at risk when you do that," he said.

Before King takes this bill to the senate floor again, voters will decide whether or not to legalize the substance in our state and have it regulated like alcohol. We asked the campaign pushing for this how this bill would impact their amendment.

"Amendment 64 was drafted specifically to allow the legislator to determine an appropriate response to DUID,” advocacy director to the campaign to regulate marijuana like alcohol Betty Aldworth said. Driving under the influence will remain entirely illegal if adopted by voters in November."

King's bill says that if a person has inhaled more than 5 nano-grams of the drug then they are driving under the influence and can be punished the same way a drunk driver would be.

"Five nano-grams is not only the most liberal amount in the United States, it is the most liberal amount in the entire world," he said.

Senator King says his bill has a better chance of passing this time, especially now that the Transportation Committee is supporting the 5 nano-gram level.
Currently 14 states have a zero tolerance for driving while impaired by THC, but he thinks if the Senate passes this bill this year, it will be a step in the right direction and should be "Colorado common sense."