An Iowa Legislator outlines his stance on a bill that’s aimed to protect drivers from being intoxicated under a certain type of chemical compound from being behind the wheel.

According to Iowa House Representative David Young, House File 181, forbids open containers of beverages with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to be in the passenger area of motor vehicles on highways, had recently passed both the Senate and the House. He is in favor of the bill and says that the effects from THC-infused drinks are equivalent to drunk driving.

“Like alcohol, these THC drinks can impair your judgement a little bit and responsiveness (in) situations. So, it’s really a safety issue for the driver and for others who are out there on the road, and so for the sake of safety, I just want to keep them off the road.”

Young describes that the bill will put THC-infused drinks on the same playing field as alcohol to stress the dangerous outcomes that can occur. He is hopeful that this new bill will serve as another reminder for people to find a responsible way to get home if they’ve been drinking. The bill is now on Governor Kim Reynolds desk and if she signs it, it will take effect on July 1st.