Wright County Urges Sober Driving Ahead of 4/20

Authorities warn of increased risk of marijuana-impaired driving on unofficial 'weed holiday'

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:40pm

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As the unofficial '4/20' marijuana holiday approaches, the Wright County Attorney's Office and local law enforcement are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to warn residents about the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis. Authorities are urging residents to plan for sober rides and report any suspected impaired drivers to keep the roads safe.

Why it matters

Marijuana use is on the rise across the country, including in Minnesota, and impaired driving remains a serious public safety issue. With more people expected to use cannabis on 4/20, there is a heightened risk of drug-impaired crashes and fatalities if drivers get behind the wheel.

The details

Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes is leading a campaign with the Sheriff's Office and local police departments to spread the message that driving while high is just as dangerous as drunk driving. NHTSA data shows that in 2019, 49% of drivers killed in crashes and tested for drugs were positive. Marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it harder for drivers to stay in their lane. Lutes is urging residents to never drive impaired, take away keys from friends who plan to drive high, and report any suspected impaired drivers to authorities.

  • April 20 marks the unofficial '4/20' marijuana 'holiday'.
  • In 2019, 49% of drivers killed in crashes and tested for drugs were positive.

The players

Brian Lutes

The Wright County Attorney and vice-chair of Safe Communities of Wright County.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The U.S. Department of Transportation agency teaming up with local authorities to spread awareness about the dangers of drug-impaired driving.

Wright County Sheriff's Office

The county law enforcement agency working with the Attorney's Office to combat impaired driving.

Annandale Police Department

One of the local police departments in Wright County participating in the campaign.

Buffalo Police Department

One of the local police departments in Wright County participating in the campaign.

Howard Lake Police Department

One of the local police departments in Wright County participating in the campaign.

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What they’re saying

“High, stoned, or wasted: It doesn't matter what term you use; if you are impaired, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

— Brian Lutes, Wright County Attorney

“If you think being high won't affect your driving, you're wrong. It has been proven that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.”

— Brian Lutes, Wright County Attorney

What’s next

The Wright County Attorney's Office will be working closely with local law enforcement to aggressively prosecute any cases of drug-impaired driving in the lead-up to and during the 4/20 holiday.

The takeaway

This campaign highlights the ongoing challenge of combating impaired driving, even as marijuana laws evolve. It underscores the importance of personal responsibility, community vigilance, and strong law enforcement partnerships to keep roads safe, especially during high-risk periods like the 4/20 holiday.