Is a Canadian-made marijuana breathalyzer around the corner?

Is Canada about to get a marijuana breathalyzer? According to a retired RCMP officer, the device may be right around the corner.

CTV News reports that Kal Malhi, a retired B.C. RCMP officer, has co-invented a device that would allow police agencies to test for pot use on the side of the road.

The device, known as the Cannabix Breathalyzer, would give North American law enforcement agencies a much-needed tool, as marijuana use becomes legalized in some areas and decriminalized in others.

"People are becoming very afraid to drink and drive nowadays because they feel that they will get caught and charged, but they’re not afraid to drug and drive because they don't feel that law enforcement will do anything about it," Malhi told CTV News.

There has yet to be a cannabis breathalyzer to be deployed by law enforcement agencies, but that's not necessarily for lack of trying.

Police in England are currently testing what has been dubbed a "spitalyser," which is a swab that can be used to detect traces of cannabis in a person's saliva. The Daily Mail reports that 11 police agencies took part in a test phase ahead of the introduction of new laws cracking down on drivers who are high on pot.

The device, however, requires those suspected of drug driving be taken to a police station to have the test conducted, rather than receiving the test when first stopped.

Similar swabs are available here. But the inherent wait makes it difficult to confirm someone is driving under the influence of drugs. The Cannabix device, however, would be capable of executing roadside testing. But does that mean it will be any more capable of confirming a driver is under the influence?

According to a May press release, the Cannabix breathalyzer "is based on breath testing technology that has been developed in Sweden and has been clinically researched and proven to be successful in testing individuals for recent consumption of the THC component of marijuana. Cannabix is advancing its products to enable law enforcement personnel to use this technology to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on North American roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many jurisdictions."

The Swedish technology in question actually comes from a clinical trial from, Stockholm's Karolinska University, which found that THC was detectable in the breath of 87 per cent of tested chronic and occasional pot smokers within 24 hours of smoking marijuana. The test, however, was unable to say whether the smoker were under the influence of the drug.

With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and and Washington, there is a growing appetite for such a device. NPR recently investigated the case of pot smokers driving in those states and found that there was a desire for "guideposts" for marijuana impairment. Also, those who smoke pot are 33 per cent more likely to be in an accident than sober drivers.

While there is clearly a growing need for improved drug monitoring in North American drivers, there is reason to doubt that a how useful this device will actually be. Still, if it has the capability of instantly confirming that marijuana is found on the breath of drivers, it is a large step improved from the monitoring we currently have available.

At worst, it's another weapon in the arsenal to keep Canada's roads safe.

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