Driver on a roadtrip is making Australia’s new medicinal cannabis laws more visible. He filmed the moment police stopped him at the drug checkpoint after he admitted to having smoked marajuana.
Paton, Steeze and two of their Gold Coast friends were traveling to north NSW and shared video footage showing them encountering the random roadside drug screening.
One officer inquired through the vehicle window if the driver had been involved in any illegal activity within the past two days.
“Umm, so I was prescribed medicinal cannabis, so I had a joint yesterday afternoon,” the driver responded.
Two mates were driving from the Gold Coast towards Nimbin on a road trip when they were pulled over for random drug testing (pictured).
After the police officer had completed the tests, he asked the suspect how the drug was ingested.
He said, “I can smoke or vaporize it,” he responded.
Officer checked the license of the man and his prescription-labeled medication. Then he told them to get on the road.
“I have never seen such a legit thing before… It’s often in a baggie, and people claim they have a prescription,” the officer commented.
As they left, the couple cheered “Let’s go,” and drove off.
Steeze, 25, a driver for Daily Mail Australia, stated that he has a medical condition and uses medicinal cannabis.
Paton (left), 22 and Steeze (25) are friends with medicinal marijuana prescriptions.
Steeze explained that epilepsy is used to manage my sleep, and prevent me from getting into situations where I am not getting enough rest which may lead to seizure.
Paton (22-year-old passenger) also holds a prescription to treat Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (EDT).
He said, “It’s like dizziness that gets really chronically bad. So I received a prescription for it to reduce anxiety. After being previously prescribed Valium.”
Steeze stated that Steeze was not very high behind the wheel.
“We believed we could pass the roadside drug screening because the label said, “If you are not impaired, you can drive.”
“We were not affected by the smoke, and we didn’t have any tobacco on that particular day. We had also smoked a joint one day before.
“We wouldn’t drive under the influence.”
The video received hundreds of comments by stunned viewers.
‘No f***ing way bro,’ one person said.
One added, “Is it common in Australia?”
Both were traveling to Nimbin in preparation for Nimbin’s Mardi Grass Festival.
He stated that he had never before seen “legit” medicinal marijuana.
Although recreational cannabis use is still illegal in Australia, medical marijuana obtained from a physician was legalized in 2016.
Australian laws still make it illegal for anyone to drive under the direct effects of THC.
The Greens plan to introduce a bill to the federal parliament this year, which would allow recreational marijuana usage.
Legal advice from the Greens suggests that a commonwealth law might replace state prohibitions on recreational marijuana use. However, such legislation would need to be passed by both chambers of parliament.