Marijuana is becoming increasingly popular as more states legalize both its medical and recreational use. As the use of marijuana increases, there is a corresponding need for testing an individual’s impairment levels while operating a vehicle or heavy machinery or undertaking tasks that require concentrate and focus. In this blog, we will provide an overview of Marijuana impairment test, their accuracy, and their effectiveness.
Marijuana impairment tests are designed to test whether an individual has consumed or is under the influence of marijuana while operating a vehicle or heavy machinery. Currently, there are no national standards or protocols for evaluating marijuana impairment, and standard marijuana tests have some limitations. Traditional drug tests measure the presence of THC metabolites in the body, which can remain present in the body for extended periods, sometimes even up to 30 days.
Nowadays, new devices, such as the Dräger DrugTest 5000, are using mouth swabs to test for the presence of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana. The device detects THC within minutes through a person’s sweat, saliva, and breath, providing instant results. Similar to alcohol breath tests, this device has threshold limits for THC levels, after which the results confirm impairment.
Scientists and researchers are working on developing objective marijuana impairment tests that measure the amount of THC in a person’s bloodstream and evaluate mental or physical changes, including restricted coordination and short-term memory loss. These tests are different than traditional DUI tests like the Walk-and-Turn and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, which are not specific to marijuana impairment.
One such objective test is the driving simulator. It is a sophisticated device that tests an individual’s response time, attention span, and memory, measuring their impairments and judging their driving behavior and cognitive tasks under specific conditions. The simulator is just one example of the many tests currently being developed by researchers worldwide to detect marijuana impairment accurately.
Roadside sobriety tests, like the Walk-and-Turn test, focus on physical and mental impairment. However, these tests may not be suitable to test for marijuana impairment, as the drug affects the brain and neurons instead of the muscles. To cater to this problem, many states are now training Drug Recognition Experts, or DREs, for more bright and accurate drug tests. These experts are trained in recognizing the signs of drug impairment through blood pressure, eye movements, and a wide range of biological tests.
Conclusion:
Marijuana impairment tests are essential to ensure the safety of everyone on the road or working in construction and other industrial jobs. Currently, no standardized approaches are in place to test for marijuana impairment, and scientists continue to develop objective marijuana impairment tests that accurately evaluate symptoms associated with marijuana use. As legal marijuana use continues to increase, it is essential to refine and improve marijuana impairment tests to combat its negative consequences accurately.