Discount Lyft Codes For Pot Users: CDOT

DENVER, CO -- If you are planning to partake of legal cannabis in Colorado, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation, Lyft ridesharing and the Marijuana Industry Group want you to "plan a ride before you're high." The 320 Movement is distributing codes for discounted Lyft rides from now until April, 2018 to encourage marijuana users to always plan ahead for a safe, sober ride, CDOT announced.

"Despite the fact that marijuana impairs judgement, coordination, decision-making and reaction time, an alarming number of users–55 percent–still believe that it is safe to drive under the influence of marijuana," said Sam Cole, CDOT's traffic safety communications manager, in a statement. "We have partnered with Lyft and MIG in an effort to combat this belief while also providing marijuana users with a safe ride, so they don't even have to consider driving high."

According to CDOT drugged driving statistics for 2016, 196 traffic fatalities (or one out of three) involved an impaired driver. The Colorado State Patrol reported that almost 20 percent of DUI arrests in 2016 involved marijuana. CDOT also has a special mobile app called R-U-Buzzed which can locate ride-hailing, taxi and public transportation.

The original 320 Movement was a run-up to the 4/20 cannabis culture celebration this year in Civic Center Park. A fleet of 17 Lyft vehicles was wrapped with green "Plan a ride before you're high" messages.

"Not only is driving high dangerous, it's illegal, and you can get a DUI just like with alcohol," said Cole. "Our goal for this partnership ... is to encourage marijuana users to treat marijuana consumption just like drinking and always plan to use a sober ride."

Now, the partnership with MIG will extend the program.

"Marijuana Industry Group is proud to continue this important partnership with CDOT and Lyft and to help extend the 320 Movement ride share program, the first of its kind," MIG Executive Director Kristi Kelly said.
She added, "Our ask is simple - if you choose to legally consume cannabis, plan ahead and don't get behind the wheel.”

Last year, 3,800 people requested a 320 Movement discount ride code, with over 1,200 codes already redeemed, CDOT reported. The discount code is worth about 30 percent off a Lyft ride.

The 320 Movement will also disseminate safe driving “toolkits” to 125 Colorado marijuana dispensaries to promote awareness of the rideshare option and try to discourage impaired driving. These will include window clings, stickers and pamphlets with catchy messages such as "Puff, puff, pass the driving to Lyft" and "If you load it, CDOT will help you Lyft it."

"Helping reduce the number of Coloradans driving high is an important and long-term goal for Lyft," said Gabe Cohen, Lyft Colorado general manager in a statement. "We are excited to accelerate our work with CDOT to help educate the community about the dangers of driving high and we are absolutely committed to continue to provide a safe and affordable alternative through Lyft."

Image via CDOT