New York is inching closer to legalizing recreational cannabis and in the midst of this, a new cannabis breathalyzer is being unveiled. The unique law enforcement device is designed to detect traces of cannabis in pot smokers. Motorists who are caught behind the wheel with more than 0.08 percent blood-alcohol concentration will be deemed intoxicated.

The aim of this cannabis breathalyzer is to tackle problems relating to drugged driving in New York, after a state Health Department study encouraged legalization of the drug in the Empire State. However, according to The USA Today Network, the issue has stimulated debate, with many members of the science community confused about what “impaired” specifically means for drivers.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo worried about drugged driving

Recently, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo commissioned a study, led by the New York State Department of Health. The impact assessment demonstrated the benefits of legalizing cannabis for adult-use in New York.

“We are pleased that the Governor and the State Department of Health have fully studied the existing evidence and accurately concluded that legalizing marijuana for adult use is the right choice for New York,” Chris Alexander, Policy Coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance, said in a statement.

“Marijuana prohibition has devastated our communities, saddled hundreds of thousands with criminal records, acted as an easily accessible tool for racially biased policing, and stunted the opportunities for entire generations of mostly New Yorker’s of color.”

Cuomo was concerned about the impact that cannabis legalization could have on public safety. In an attempt to address these issues, Cuomo enlisted a task force to prepare recreational cannabis legalization, of which he will present to lawmakers.

“As we work to implement the report’s recommendations through legislation, we must thoroughly consider all aspects of a regulated marijuana program,” Cuomo explained, “including its impact on public health, criminal justice and state revenue, and mitigate any potential risks associated with it.”

Currently, law enforcement officers are unable to adequately test motorists for cannabis consumption, according to the study. In spite of this, the new cannabis breathalyzer developed by California-based company Hound Labs will be used in the nine U.S. states that have passed adult-use cannabis laws. 

Hound Labs’ new cannabis breathalyzer is hypersensitive

Hound Labs claims that the company’s latest invention will make public roads safer and ensure all drivers who disobey the rules are penalized for their actions.

The alcohol and cannabis breathalyzer manufacturer has specially created the hypersensitive cannabis breathalyzer to discover the psychoactive cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC.

At the current time, officers lack the essential equipment to test for cannabis on a motorist’s breath. In the event that an officer believes a motorist to be under the influence of drugs, the only option is to carry out field sobriety tests.

Although it is possible to identify the existence of cannabis in a motorist’s urine, blood or breath, this kind of testing presents inaccuracies for the officers, who will have difficulty determining when the driver got high. Some test results may reveal a driver’s cannabis-using habits a week prior to being tested, which is irrelevant if the driver is caught after the high has worn off.

The new cannabis breathalyzer will not necessarily detect levels of THC but instead, it will enable law enforcement officers to figure out just how recently the motorist was using cannabis.

New cannabis breathalyzer will be available this fall

Expect to see Hound Labs’ new cannabis breathalyzer being used by law enforcement this fall. Numerous other companies are working hard to produce similar drugged-driving detection technologies.

After all, why wouldn’t they?

Not only can breathalyzer creators help to make the roads a safer place once cannabis is legalized for adult-use in the State of New York but also, these little gadgets could earn cannabis companies a ton of money in the burgeoning market.

Alternative methods will also be implemented to prevent drugged driving in New York, including law enforcement training and better public outreach programs.

“While existing information suggests a lower impact than might have been expected, legalization of adult use of marijuana raises valid concerns about traffic safety,” said the state Health Department.