Colorado Researchers and State Patrol Explore Development of Effective Marijuana Breathalyzer
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and the Colorado State Patrol are currently exploring the development of a reliable marijuana breathalyzer. Existing devices are not considered adequate by either party for determining if someone is under the influence of marijuana.
Sgt. Roger Meyers of the Colorado State Patrol expressed their stance, "As an agency, we decided that is not where we are going to go." This reflects a reluctance to use current technology.
Cinnamon Bidwell, Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at CU, criticized the current tools: "The subjective tools that are used right now are not a good system for anyone. There is an eagerness to try and push forward and we are trying to work as fast as we can." This highlights the urgency for more effective measures.
Researchers are now focused on creating a reliable device. Initial reports from a new study show potential in gathering scientific data for safer and fairer road enforcement. The challenge lies in detecting recent cannabis use. Bidwell emphasized the importance of this research: "This is super important for public safety -- the potential for roadside testing, but there are a lot of steps in this research pathway before we can establish whether a breathalyzer for cannabis will really be a viable tool for our public safety officers and moving forward for roadside testing."
Bidwell explained the difficulties in comparing alcohol and cannabis detection. "With cannabis, the amount of the drug that stays in your body is very very small, almost like looking for a needle in a haystack even in somebody who has used quite a lot." This contrasts with alcohol, which is metabolized quickly and doesn't remain in the body.
CSP acknowledges its shortcomings in marijuana enforcement. Meyers said, "If we were more comfortable with cannabis we would be better at our jobs." Understanding the effects of different forms of marijuana on drivers is also crucial. "From the ground up we are trying to learn about these new frontiers," Meyers added, emphasizing the need for better knowledge and enforcement strategies.
Bidwell noted the limited research due to marijuana's federal classification. "It continues to surprise people in terms of the gaps," she said, pointing out the challenges in law enforcement related to marijuana use.
As for the timeline of developing a reliable breathalyzer, CU researchers cannot give a definitive answer. They are focusing on collecting data and setting meaningful thresholds for cannabis, similar to the blood alcohol concentration levels for alcohol. Bidwell concluded, "Our research is, initially, saying yes, we can do that breath collection after recent use, we can detect those cannabinoids and actually chemically quantify them in meaningful ways." The path to a viable marijuana breathalyzer is ongoing, with many steps still to be taken.
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