As more and more states legalize cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, the question of how to regulate driving under the influence of cannabis is becoming increasingly important. Unlike alcohol, which can be detected in the blood, breath, and urine, cannabis can remain in the body for days or even weeks after use, making it difficult to determine whether someone is impaired at the time of driving. To address this issue, several states have developed cannabis impairment test. In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at these tests, how they work, and what you need to know if you’re facing a cannabis impairment charge.

Types of Cannabis Impairment Tests:

There are currently three types of cannabis impairment tests being used by law enforcement:

Field sobriety tests: These are the same tests that are used for alcohol impairment, such as the walk and turn, one-leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test. The officer will look for specific clues, such as difficulty balancing, swaying, slurred speech, and the inability to follow instructions.

Drug recognition expert (DRE) test: This test involves a trained officer who has received additional training in identifying impairment due to drug use. The DRE test involves an evaluation of the person’s vital signs, a physical exam, and a series of tests to check for drug impairment. The results of the DRE test can be used in court as evidence.

Blood and urine tests: These tests measure the concentration of THC (the chemical in cannabis that causes impairment) in the blood and urine. However, these tests can only determine whether THC is present and cannot determine whether the person is currently impaired. THC can remain in the body for several days or even weeks after use.

Challenges with Cannabis Impairment Tests:

One of the biggest challenges with cannabis impairment tests is that THC impacts individuals differently. Some people may feel impaired after using a small amount of cannabis, while others may not feel impaired after using a large amount. Additionally, the effects of cannabis can be influenced by several factors, such as the person’s tolerance, the potency of the cannabis, and the method of consumption.

Another challenge is that THC can remain in the body for days or even weeks after use, making it difficult to determine whether someone is currently impaired. Blood tests can only detect THC for a few hours, while urine tests can detect THC for up to a month after use. This means that someone who uses cannabis regularly may have THC in their system but not be currently impaired.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the issue of regulating driving under the influence of cannabis is a complex one, and there is still much work to be done to develop accurate and reliable cannabis impairment tests. While field sobriety tests, DRE tests, and blood and urine tests can all be used to determine cannabis impairment, there are challenges with each of these tests. THC affects individuals differently, and the effects can be influenced by several factors, making it difficult to determine whether someone is currently impaired. Furthermore, THC can remain in the body for days or even weeks after use, making it difficult to determine whether someone was impaired at the time of driving. As more research is conducted on the effects of cannabis and impairment, it is likely that more accurate and reliable tests will be developed. Until then, it is important for individuals who use cannabis to understand the potential risks of driving while impaired and to take steps to avoid driving while under the influence.