Researchers developing breath test for pot

[TexasTowelie]

Researchers at Washington State University are working on a breath test to determine if a driver is under the influence of marijuana.

The News Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/15KK247 ) that law enforcement officers have a test for alcohol, but they don't have a tool to test for marijuana impairment. Right now, officers must use blood tests to determine if THC is present in a driver's blood.

But WSU chemistry professor Herbert Hill says existing technologies like those used by airport security agents to detect drugs and explosives can be altered to test breath for THC. Hill says his team hopes to start testing on humans early next year.

The Washington State Patrol says it welcomes anything that gets impaired drivers off the road.

http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/us/researchers-developing-breath-test-for-pot/njHrM/

[Android3.14]

1. Had to happen, I suppose

Though stoners seem to drive better than drunks.

[tomm2thumbs]

2. I hear it just looks for the smell of Doritos®

bwhahahah

[Auggie]

5. +1

[Garion_55]

3. whats wrong with field sobriety tests?

doesnt matter what drug you are on if you cant walk a straight line.

[Hari Seldon]

7. I could smoke all night and still walk a straight line

I drove across the country stoned.

Impairment. Sigh...

Well, if thats the standard we should stop talking about pot.

[Jim23434]

4. Be a safe user

As someone that has been using marijuana from the sixties to present time I am glad such a test is being developed. Under present law a blood test convicts me for something I did weeks ago.

Treat the drug with respect, it does slow your reflexes, and I for one would find it hard to sleep at nights wondering if that accident causing harm to others was my fault because of being just a little high.

[sorefeet]

6. Prove I'm impaired

it would be easy to build a machine that detects pot, but PROVE that I am impaired. I have been using for well over 45 years and I just don't get impaired. 2 beers today now that I don't hardly drink ,scares me to death. I am impaired. 20 years ago 2 beers only pissed me of, like, where is the rest of the 12 pack?? Prove I am impaired. No more FOR PROFIT, life ruining hassles from the pigs.

[Scuba]

8. Impairment should be the only test that matters.

[tech3149]

9. Agreed

If I remember correctly, THC can be detected in the blood long after any perceptible effect has dissipated. That would require the blood concentration level to be established by standards that don't exist as far as i know.
As someone who has been what is now considered a heavy drinker for years I know my capacity to operate without perceptible impairment at BAC levels that are considered intoxicated is common.
I don't think a breath test would be an indicative test considering factors like edibles, the aforementioned verified and accepted standards, and whether it is measuring only psychoactive cannabinoids.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Only way the test could be valid is if it measured AMOUNT of pot in your system.

"presence" of pot ( actually its metabolites) can be seen for 30 days or more, it is stored in fat cells.
They would need a verifiable way to test for amount=impaired.
As far as I know, there is no agreed upon measurement for impaired.

I doubt any test would be valid in the current # of legal pot states.

btw....most DUI detectors are supposed to be "calibrated" every so often, and DUIs are often tossed out if you can afford a lawyer who can challenge calibration of the device.