DUI on Mescaline in Fulton County, Georgia

When most people think about a DUI charge in Georgia, they typically picture the driver who had too much drink. One whiskey too many, a "few too many" beers, or continued drinking while in the car. However, also very common is a DUI for drugs. This includes the less common, but just as illegal use of mescaline before driving.

If you or someone you care for has been arrested for DUI in Georgia, an experienced Fulton County DUI attorney can help you with your defense in order to protect your constitutional rights.

What is Mescaline?

Mescaline is a psychedelic hallucinogenic drug created from the:

• Peyote (Lophophora williamsi) cactus,
• San Pedro cactus,
• Peruvian torch cactus, or
• other various mescaline containing cacti.

The drug can also be produced synthetically through the use of Fabaceae beans.

Protected Use

Mescaline in the form of peyote and other natural cactus derivatives is often given protected status when it comes to illegal drugs. While for most of the population the possession of these drugs, even in their natural state, is illegal, certain native tribes have long used the drug as part of their religious practices. They are given special permission to possess and use the drug (for those limited religious purposes).

However, even for those allowed to possess the drug, the use of it before getting behind the wheel is still illegal. This is an area of confusion for some, so it is important to recognize that Georgia law does not allow intoxicated driving, period.

Effects of Mescaline on the Body

The hallucinogenic effects of mescaline can be significant, leading to a "trip" or powerful "high." These effects include

• visual and auditory hallucinations;
• altered state of consciousness;
• euphoria;
• uncontrollable laughter;
• synesthesia, the mixing of senses ("seeing sounds," or "hearing colors"); and
• pupil dilation.

These effects are often the primary reason people use the drug, but for most people mescaline possession is a crime, and driving under its effects is illegal.

Effects of Mescaline on Driving

Serious side effects besides those even listed can seriously affect a person's ability to drive:

• anxiety, fear, and distrust;
• tachycardia (racing and irregular heartbeat);
• dizziness;
• weakness;
• tremors;
• loss of motor functions;
• headaches;
• diarrhea;
• nausea and vomiting;
• seizures;
• amnesia (loss of memory); and
• post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder (flashbacks).

These types of effects can easily cause driving behavior that could lead to difficulty operating the vehicle, causing an accident, or even causing another's death.

Defending Your Case 

Just because you are charged with a crime, that does not mean you are guilty. You have the constitutional right to present a defense to the charges against you.

With the help of an experienced attorney you can

• suppress improperly obtained evidence,
• challenge the use of field sobriety tests,
• challenge the accuracy of blood or urine tests, or
• argue the reason for the initial traffic stop was a pretext.

Consult an Experienced Fulton County DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about faces charges of DUI in Georgia, whether for alcohol or drugs, you have rights that deserve to be protected. An experienced Fulton County DUI attorney can defend those rights on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation.