First Marijuana Breathalyzer Introduced

California-based Hound Labs Inc. has created a marijuana breath analysis test, which has the potential to be used by police to detect whether drivers have used the drug.

The company claims the device is hypersensitive, allowing it to pick up any THC potentially present on drivers’ breath. According to the company website, “The Hound breathalyzer is 1 billion times more sensitive than today’s alcohol breathalyzers.”

CEO Mike Lynn told NPR, “We are trying to make the establishment of impairment around marijuana rational and to balance fairness and safety.”

A 2017 survey by Colorado Department of Transportation found that almost 70 percent of cannabis consumers drove high at least once in the past year.

Currently, officers who suspect a driver is impaired can only use field sobriety tests. Blood, breath or urine samples can be taken but could be inaccurate.