April 20th, also known as 420, has become synonymous with marijuana use and for some, the date is considered a marijuana “holiday.” On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, there will likely be an increase in marijuana use.

To help keep drug-impaired operators off the water, Operation Dry Water is working to spread awareness that drug-impaired operation of any kind is dangerous and illegal.

• Drugs and alcohol interfere with the brain’s ability to function properly. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main active ingredient in marijuana, affects areas of the brain that control your body’s movements, balance, coordination, memory, and judgement.
• Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.
• Marijuana is the most commonly used drug that is illegal at the federal level in the United States, with an estimated 48.2 million people using it at least once in the past year in 2019.
• No matter the term, if a person is feeling high, buzzed, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she is impaired and should not be out on the water.
• After alcohol, marijuana is the substance most often associated with impaired driving.
• It is illegal in every U.S. state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Boating under the influence (BUI) laws pertain to all vessels, from paddleboards and canoes to motorboats and large ships.
• The number of self-reported marijuana users is increasing. In 2014, there were 7,000 new users of marijuana per day.
• Many boaters have less experience and confidence in operating a boat compared to driving a car, this paired with impairment due to alcohol or drug use creates extremely dangerous conditions.

Operation Dry Water wants to remind all boaters that if you choose boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are endangering your life and the lives of others.

Click here to download drug-impaired operation focused social media messages.

Register your agency/station now for the three-day heightened enforcement weekend taking place nationwide July 2 – 4, 2022.

Want to see which agencies and USCG stations are participating in Operation Dry Water 2022 near you? Click here to see who has registered or visit the participating agencies page to see the full list. Register Now.

About Operation Dry Water

Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a national boating under the influence heightened awareness and enforcement campaign with the goal of removing impaired operators from the water and raising awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence.

Annually, Operation Dry Water facilitates a three-day heightened enforcement weekend, targeting operators who choose to boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

This campaign takes places nationally and is making a positive impact on impaired boating, thanks to the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.