Colorado and Washington mock marijuana users in new ads against stoned driving

DENVER, June 27 (UPI) -- Nearly six months after the legalization of recreational marijuana, police in Colorado are facing a significant rise in marijuana-related DUIs.

Denver detox facility Arapahoe House said 15 percent of its patients were arrested for driving high on marijuana, nearly double the number at this same time in 2013.

"This percentage increase is significant because recreational marijuana legalization is in its infancy, and there has clearly already been an impact on public safety," Art Schut, president and CEO of Arapahoe House, said in a statement.

"Our hope is that this new data will create awareness so that if Coloradans choose to use marijuana, they do not get behind the wheel."

If the "new data" fails to convince marijuana users not to get behind the wheel, the Colorado Department of Transportation hopes a series of serious, but sarcastic in tone, warning ads will do the trick.

The ads are also being run by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.