Can I Get in Trouble for Sniffing Glue in Michigan?

It is against the law in Michigan to sniff glue to get high.

State Law on Glue Sniffing

Michigan Law prohibits a person from intentionally inhaling or smelling glue to produce intoxication or euphoria. Sniffing glue is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, fines and court costs, or both. MCL 752.272.

In addition to the state law, there are both City of Ann Arbor and City of Ypsilanti ordinances prohibiting the use of model glues to get high. Both ordinances also prohibit aiding and abetting a minor to use model glues to get high.

What Could Happen if I’m Charged with Sniffing Glue?

Being charged with a misdemeanor means you will have to appear in front of the judge. A conviction could mean probation or jail. The judge will be interested to see if there may be a substance abuse issue and look to see what resources you need for help. As your lawyer, we will direct you to those resources before court. However, if the charge has been made in error, we will of course fight the case.

What is in Model Glue that Gets you High?

The following listed chemicals produce intoxicating effects when inhaled. The inhalation is called huffing. The chemicals include, toluene, ethyl acetate, hexane, methyl chloride, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, benzene xylene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, chloroform. Toluene is probably the most used and abused chemical of the glue group.

Sniffing Glue and Driving

The two things don’t mix. You could be charged with operating while intoxicated by an intoxicating substance. This crime means a person was under the influence of the glue chemicals at the time of driving or operating the vehicle.

Technically, you could drive after sniffing glue so long as you are not under the influence of glue, though not recommended. Nevertheless, just because a person was sniffing glue and then drove doesn’t mean the person is automatically guilty. The question is whether the person was actually under the influence of the glue at the time of driving.

How do You Know if Someone is Under the Influence from Sniffing Glue?

The first thing we do is look at their driving. Driving is obviously the most important thing in a driving under the influence case. Second, we look at the way the person was walking and talking. Was everything normal or was it not normal? Third, there may have been field sobriety tests or a drug recognition expert examination. We would look to see if the person’s coordination was that of a non-impaired person.

Ultimately, the person can tell us if he or she felt intoxicated or impaired. That can make a big difference. Again, just because the person was sniffing glue and driving doesn’t mean the person was legally under the influence. Each case is different.

Call Us

Call Sam Bernstein at 734-883-9584 or e-mail at bernstein@arborypsilaw.com.

Sam Bernstein is a Criminal Defense Attorney in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

ArborYpsi Law is located at 2750 Carpenter Rd #2, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

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ArborYpsi law is available to appear in Courts in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Chelsea, Saline, Plymouth, Livonia, Romulus, Westland, and Detroit. We are not here to judge you, we are here to represent you.

Your goals are our goals. We will do everything in our power to help you.

Call 734-883-9584 to Speak with a Criminal Attorney