Connecticut General Statutes 53a-213a – Smoking, otherwise inhaling or ingesting cannabis while operating a motor vehicle: Class C misdemeanor
(a) A person is guilty of smoking, otherwise inhaling or ingesting cannabis, as defined in § 21a-420, while operating a motor vehicle when he or she smokes, otherwise inhales or ingests cannabis, as defined in § 21a-420, while operating a motor vehicle upon a public highway of this state or upon any road of any specially chartered municipal association or of any district organized under the provisions of chapter 105, a purpose of which is the construction and maintenance of roads and sidewalks, or in any parking area for ten cars or more, or upon any private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance with the provisions of § 14-218a or upon any school property. No person shall be convicted of smoking or otherwise inhaling or ingesting cannabis while operating a motor vehicle and possessing or having under such person’s control a controlled substance upon the same transaction. A person may be charged and prosecuted for either or each such offense, a violation of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of any drug and any other applicable offense upon the same information.
Attorney's Note
Under the Connecticut General Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class C misdemeanor | up to 3 months | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 53a-213a
- Peace officer: means a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or an organized local police department, a chief inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice, a state marshal while exercising authority granted under any provision of the general statutes, a judicial marshal in the performance of the duties of a judicial marshal, a conservation officer or special conservation officer, as defined in §. See Connecticut General Statutes 53a-3
- Person: means a human being, and, where appropriate, a public or private corporation, a limited liability company, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government or a governmental instrumentality. See Connecticut General Statutes 53a-3
(b) Smoking, otherwise inhaling or ingesting cannabis while operating a motor vehicle is a class C misdemeanor.
(c) No peace officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section if such violation is the sole reason for such stop.