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One of the major pushbacks that federal marijuana reform faces is the difficulty associated with detecting marijuana on drivers. Marijuana intoxication typically requires a blood test to confirm that the driver has marijuana in their system.
Tougher to detect marijuana than alcohol
Police officers find it much more difficult to detect marijuana on drivers than alcohol. A Durango county police spokesman said that officers will often charge a driver with an alcohol DUI if both alcohol and drugs are suspected because it is the same charge in the eyes of the courts.
Last year, the Colorado State Patrol issued 354 marijuana-only DUIs, and 674 citations where marijuana was one factor. Overall, marijuana was implicated in 12% of DUIs issued by the Colorado State Patrol.
“When there’s a contributing factor with alcohol, typically we’ll go with that simply because there’s a quantitative level in the statute that’s clear, and there really isn’t one for marijuana,” said Capt. Brett Mattson, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman.
With marijuana, “it’s certainly harder to tell than it is with alcohol,” Mattson said.
No science behind the five-nanogram limit
Policy makers have had a tough time determining how to enforce marijuana DUIs. State law relies on a five-nanogram limit for THC. This policy has seen significant pushback because critics have said that heavy marijuana users can have five nanograms or more in their blood for weeks at a time because the body processes THC much slower than alcohol.
Brian Schowalter, a Durango defense lawyer who represents DUI defendants, called the five-nanogram limit a political compromise.
“This whole five-nanogram thing, there’s no science behind that,” Schowalter said. “In my opinion, that’s an arbitrary limit.”
One company is working on a solution
The need for an accurate marijuana detection solution is necessary for the continued progression of the cannabis industry. A Canadian based company is working to develop a marijuana breathalyzer, which if accurate could prove to be a game changer to both the company and the industry.
The company working on this product is Cannabix Technologies Inc. (BLO: CSE) (BLOZF: OTCPK). Cannabix trades on both the Canadian Stock Exchange and United States over-the-counter (OTC) exchange.
Cannabix developed the patent pending Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace. The Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer drug-impairment recognition system is based on breath testing technology that has been developed to test individuals for recent consumption of the THC component of marijuana.
In March, Cannabix produced an Alpha version of the Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer prototype. The company has been internally testing the device with medical marijuana users. Cannabix is continuing to work with consultants and scientists to maximize THC sensitivity, detection and reliability of the device for use as a roadside or workplace drug impairment tool.
After internal testing and development is complete with the Alpha prototype, the company will release a Beta version for trial testing with external organizations. Trial testing will be performed by independent agencies, which will help determine reliability, functionality and accuracy of the device within a larger population of potential end users.
Outlook
The development of a marijuana breathalyzer is crucial for industry progression. If Cannabix successfully develops a prototype it will serve as a catalyst to both the company and the industry. Technical420 closely monitors Cannabix and the stock has been a top performer in 2015. Shares of BLOZF are up over 200% during 2015 and the stock trades for $0.37 a share.
Want to learn more about Cannabix Technologies Inc. (BLO: CSE) (BLOZF: OTCPK)? Sign up for a Pro Trader membership at https://technical420.com/user/register.
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