Will the Very First Pot Breathalyzer Be Available in 2017?

A scientific study is opening up the possibility that pot breathalyzers could be for sale by the end of this year.

Law enforcement would be the ones buying and using them for roadside testing. And companies like Hound Labs want to sell them.

The problem is that testing for impairment through marijuana will be harder to see than testing for alcohol. Ignition Interlocks, otherwise known as alcohol breathalyzers, can detect someone’s breath alcohol concentration level through measuring ethanol. Ethanol, the compound found in alcohol, is easier to measure than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is the main compound in cannabis plants. It releases the chemical dopamine into your brain, which creates the feeling of being high.

Science May Make the First Pot Breathalyzer a Reality

The study, which is from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), coined a term called, “PLOT-cryo.” It’s related to vapor pressure, and can assist with creating the first pot breathalyzer in measuring someone’s THC level.

Detecting vapor pressure is difficult, but the tool these scientists have developed is small enough to be able to see results.

Will a Pot Breathalyzer Work?

A professor in an article noted one other difficulty, however. Detecting someone’s THC level does not necessarily indicate someone’s level of impairment. For example, frequent users of marijuana can build an immunity to THC, no matter how much is in their system.

New users of marijuana could have a higher level of impairment, but with a low level of THC. It may be that law enforcement would need to use a two-tier process in their roadside testing. As well as testing with a pot breathalyzer, the individual would also need to take a field sobriety test to measure their impairment to go around this loophole.

Uptick in Automotive Crashes in Legalized States

There’s been an increase in automotive collisions in states that recently legalized marijuana. That’s why law enforcement would like to have an effective pot breathalyzer for roadside testing sooner rather than later.

Pot breathalyzers may also be in state government members’ minds. Vermont vetoed the bill to legalize recreational marijuana because of the fear of an increase in impaired driving. Pot breathalyzers might alleviate that worry.

Although it is too soon to say, this new finding from scientists could still accelerate the reality of a pot breathalyzer.

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