Federal Study Aims To Solve Cannabis-Impaired Driving Conundrum

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is spearheading a study on one of the toughest issues in cannabis policy: impaired driving. While states continue to legalize, no universal test for impairment exist, like with alcohol’s BAC breathalyzer. Typically, Drug Recognition Experts, or extra-trained cops, are left to decide. 

The study is part of a $1.5 million interagency partnership between NIST and the National Institute of Justice (within the DOJ), and in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder.

The hypothesis is that if a one-test breathalyzer raises accuracy and reliability concerns, because cannabinoids can linger far longer than recent use, conducting two tests an hour apart could be more accurate. Why? Because, two tests within this time period could help determine whether there’s a “significant falloff in THC levels” in the driver’s breath. 

“This is potentially paradigm-changing,” said NIST’s Kavita Jeerage in a statement. “If successful, it could pave the way for on-the-spot detection of recent cannabis use by law enforcement.”

Don’t expect policies to change overnight; the study is expected to take a few years. 

Each year, we closely follow which cannabis bills are introduced and passed in California. Not only because it is the most populous state with legal adult use cannabis, but many of its policy proposals are out ahead of the thinking in other states. 

The current two-year session soon comes to a close, and the deadline for bills to head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk arrives at the end of this month. 

Back in February, Cannabis Wire reported on which bills were still in play at the start of the year, and we’ll have a full breakdown of what makes the cut this month. 

One bill has been particularly contentious: AB 2223, which aims at intoxicating hemp products. On one side, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable has fought to defeat this effort, while the California Cannabis Industry Association has supported it. (State health officials and cannabis regulators have sought clarity on these products, too.)

The bill’s author, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, told Cannabis Wire earlier this year that, with the bill, “We are greatly increasing enforcement at the state and local level.”

However, late last week, that bill was “held under submission” in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which means it is all but dead. 

Then again, there are two weeks to go – not to mention Newsom’s veto powers – so anything is fair game.

This is just a glimpse. Want to receive every issue of Cannabis Wire Daily, our newsletter that is sent to subscribers each weekday morning? Subscribe today.