Traditional breathalyzers accurately measure blood alcohol levels in seconds, aiding law enforcement. Developing a reliable equivalent for cannabis, however, presents significant challenges. Leading researchers across the United States are actively addressing this critical need.
Most drivers have encountered roadside breathalyzers, blowing into the device for an instant verdict that shapes their immediate future. As CNN detailed in a January 27, 2020 article, creating a comparable tool to precisely measure THC levels in the body for cannabis is far more complex.
This issue gains urgency in the US, where cannabis is legal in 34 states. While consumption impairs driving and heightens accident risk, distinguishing recent use (e.g., an hour ago) from older use (a day prior) is difficult. Note that smoking days before driving isn't illegal everywhere, and THC metabolism varies. The goal: a precise assessment of a driver's current state.
A July 2019 study in Clinical Chemistry by University of California, San Francisco researchers revealed THC detectable in breath up to three hours post-consumption, correlating with blood levels during that window. Funded by startup Hound Labs, this paves the way for their dual device detecting both alcohol and cannabis.
Other efforts include a mobile app assessing cognitive faculties for psychoactive impairment and virtual reality tests tracking eye movements. US experts emphasize that adopted technologies must go beyond mere THC detection—they must definitively determine driving fitness.
Source
Related Articles:
