Washington State Researchers are searching for volunteers that will help with the marijuana experiment they are conducting. The experiment is to develop a breathalyzer that detects the use of marijuana. This will essentially help law enforcement to detect if the driver is impaired to drive his or her vehicle. Under Washington law, drivers that are detected with Tetrahydrocannabinol THC, can be prosecuted for driving under the influence.
Researchers believe that there is a tremendous need for technology that can detect if someone is under the influence of marijuana. Volunteers would have to be over the age of 21 that meet the legal age of marijuana use. They will begin by taking blood tests and mouth swabs.
Since it is legalized they are able to buy from a state-licensed retail store and smoke privately at their own home. To avoid anyone driving to the location, researchers had volunteers picked up in taxi cabs and taken for tests in the hospital.
At the moment 29 states and the District of Colombia have passed legislation legalizing the use of medical marijuana and about 9 states have legalized the recreational use. Law enforcement needs to find a way to detect THC levels as well as business owners that are hiring. It is not an easy task to figure out how high the person is, but it is best if we start somewhere. For more information on the report click here for full article.