The current system for cannabis testing has some significant flaws, but a B.C. company is hoping its new product will fill that gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cannabix Technologies has started the first phase of the rollout of its Marijuana Breath Test system for commercial customers across several industries, but not for police, according to a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The system is supposed to detect recent cannabis use within four hours of consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTraditional cannabis testing methods such as urine, saliva or hair analysis, primarily detect historical cannabis use. These methods can return positive results hours, days, or even weeks after consumption, making them ineffective for determining whether an individual may be using during the workday,\u201d Cannabix said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the device detects recent use it\u2019s a better way to determine impairment, even though it doesn\u2019t specifically measure how high someone is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScientific research shows that delta-9 THC is detectable in breath for a short window of approximately two to four hours, closely aligned with the period of peak impairment. Breath analysis therefore provides the most relevant and scientifically meaningful indication of recent use, which is the metric employers and safety-sensitive industries require,\u201d Cannabix said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zach Walsh is a professor at the University of British Columbia who researches cannabis use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walsh said a cannabis breathalyzer test comparable to what\u2019s available for alcohol would be a significant development, if it\u2019s reliable and accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s very difficult to measure impairments. (Cannabis) doesn’t map on to breath the way that alcohol does. So trying to come up with something that’s parallel, well, I can see why people want it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walsh said we\u2019ll have to wait and see how the new breath testing device performs in this first phase of its release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy first response is skepticism,\u201d he said. \u201cThe impetus is always on the side of industry to say, \u2018hey, we’ve got this great new thing that’s going to change the world. Please invest in us.\u2019 Whether or not that maps onto real world use, I think is another question,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are already roadside and workplace devices approved for drug impairment like the SoToxa device and Drager 5000 that use saliva to quickly test whether someone has used drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n