Unlike for alcohol-related infractions, there is no surefire way for law enforcement to measure marijuana intoxication levels on site. The Canadian company Cannabix Technologies Inc is hoping to change that.
Cannabix is in the process of creating a breathalyzer that can be used to measure levels of THC in a person. Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC is the compound found in marijuana that creates intoxication.
According to Cannabix’s website, the device is currently in the prototype phase.
“The device would be used to provide detection of THC at the roadside to identify drivers intoxicated by the use of marijuana,” the company says. “The device will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous.”
States have a variety of opinions on how much THC is too much, according to Engadget.com.
“The whole mess of differing levels of impairment between states,” Engadget wrote. “In Washington and Montana 5 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL) of THC counts as ‘too stoned to drive.’ In Pennsylvania, that limit is 1 ng/mL.”