Marijuana breathalyzer in the works, why everyone should be scared

Researchers at Washington State University are developing a breathalyzer that will detect the presence of THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, the News Tribune reports. WSU chemistry professor Herbert Hill and a doctoral student are working on a handheld device similar to the ones used by police to tell whether a person is under the influence of alcohol.

The THC breathalyzer will, researchers hope, give police a more immediate way to detect the presence of the drug.

“We believe at least initially that it would lower the false positives that an officer would have,” Hill told the News Tribune. “They would have a higher level of confidence in making an arrest.”

On its website, the Colorado Department of Transportation warns drivers that they can charged with DUI for operating a car while under the influence of pot.

Marijuana affects reaction time, short-term memory, hand-eye coordination, concentration and perception of time and distance. Getting high and getting behind the wheel of a car will get you arrested for a DUI – this law hasn’t changed with the legalization of marijuana in January 2014.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. is the developer of the patent pending Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace. The Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer drug-impairment recognition system is based on breath testing technology that has been developed to test individuals for recent consumption of the THC component of marijuana. 

Cannabix is advancing its products to enable law enforcement personnel to use this technology to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on North American roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many jurisdictions. 

Cannabix is working to develop a drug-testing device that will detect Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC- the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication) using breath samples. The device would be used to provide detection of THC at the roadside to identify drivers intoxicated by the use of marijuana. The device will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous. The device is currently in prototype development and the Company is rapidly developing this technology.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-12-01/marijuana-brethalyzer-in-the-works-to-identify-stoned-drivers
http://www.crimelibrary.com/blog/2014/06/20/canadians-scientists-present-cannabix-breathalyzer-for-pot-duis/index.html

What will the future of driving in America look like?

Police stop a motorist for any number of monetary reasons, such as speeding or failure to signal. Officer(s) now claim the drivers eyes are bloodshot and demand he or she pass a field sobriety test. Motorist passes test, frustrated police now demand driver take a DUI Intoxilyzer (breath) test, motorist passes this to.

Police force the driver to take a DUID (marijuana) test, motorist passes this test as well.

Annoyed police arrest motorist and take a forced-blood draw TLC test, testing for alcohol & marijuana AGAIN! (a little TLC is performed and it's not the good kind).

Click here & here to find out more about TLC testing.

Exasperated police, call for a drug dog to perform a search around the vehicle, dog allegedly hits on the passenger side of the vehicle out of the police vehicle camera's field of view. Police are now free to trash err. I mean search the vehicle. No drugs found, vehicle interior damaged, state not obligated to pay for repairs.

Innocent motorist is imprisoned, posts $500.00 bail and must appear in court, motorist is forced to pay attorney and court fees.

DA requests the vehicle's black box or Event Data Recorder (EDR), and cell phone records, Judge doesn't blink an eye and grants request.

Police discover vehicle was travelling 5 mph over the speed limit and they now have a copy of all his cell phone records and contacts.

Final ruling:
Motorist found not guilty of DUI or DUID. but the motorist was found guilty of speeding, failure to signal while changing lanes, etc.

End result: profit for the courts, bondsman, police and insurance company.

The real tragedy:
Innocent motorist is jailed, forced to pay bond, fines, re-instatement of license, higher insurance premiums and possible job loss and must pay out-of-pocket to repair damaged vehicle. Don't forget the motorist was arrested and that arrest will follow him or her FOREVER!

The myth of specific identification of marijuana in criminal court Parts 1-7

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-1-what-is-the-goal-and-the-purpose-testing-of-unknowns-generally/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-2-how-is-most-marijuana-testing-conducted-in-the-united-states/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-3-what-is-microscopic-morphological-examination-is-it-a-good-test/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-4/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-5-what-is-thin-layer-chromatography-is-it-a-good-test/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-6-is-the-combination-of-all-three-tests-create-a-good-testing-scheme/

http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/the-myth-of-specific-identification-of-marijuana-in-criminal-court-part-7-is-there-a-better-way-to-test-for-marijuana/