Why It’s Difficult to Develop a Roadside Test for Marijuana скачать в хорошем качестве

Why It’s Difficult to Develop a Roadside Test for Marijuana

Why It’s Difficult to Develop a Roadside Test for Marijuana Police in Colorado and California are using tests to see if drivers are high on marijuana. That makes it infeasible to set a single blood alcohol content (BAC) level as is set for alcohol, according to a new research paper. And, the paper says, because THC can spike and leave the bloodstream in less than three hours - despite impairment potentially lasting six to eight hours - a blood test taken an hour or more after a traffic stop may fail to identify impairment due to marijuana use. Overcoming these obstacles will likely require new innovations. Some tests already in use "When driving a motor vehicle in Colorado, any driver has given their consent to submitting to a chemical test if they are presumed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," Sgt. California, where the recreational use of pot became legal on January 1, also has specialized drug recognition officers and rules stipulating drivers arrested for driving under the influence are required to take a blood test if marijuana is the suspected intoxicant. Researchers, however, cite several problems with relying on these tests. Problems with the tests THC can remain detectable in your blood for as long as seven days, depending on how frequently you use marijuana. That rate can vary depending on age, weight, liver health, and recent meals, but there is a consistent relationship between a given blood alcohol concentration and impairment. But as marijuana becomes more widely available, more reliable tests may be needed. Seeking new tests That will likely include oral fluid tests, which analyze saliva for marijuana and its metabolites. An investigation by the Denver Post last year found the number of drivers in fatal crashes who have tested positive for marijuana has more than doubled since legalization in Colorado in 2013.