- Details
- Hits: 807
The system uses a saliva collection device to test impaired drivers for marijuana use as well as other drugs.
Over the last year, a group of officers with the Minnesota State Patrol carried a new piece of equipment in their squad cars. It looked like a Keurig machine, only this device doesn't make coffee; It analyzes saliva for THC — the chemical in marijuana that makes people high.
The machines were part of a pilot program that ended earlier this year, and the state patrol is preparing its results for state lawmakers. Minnesota is one of several states where police have tried this tool. They're doing so in response to changing behaviors: Most Americans now live in a state where marijuana is legal, more people are using it, and millions are doing so before driving.
Every state has a law that prohibits driving under the influence of drugs in some way, whether it be setting a permissible limit for legal drugs or not allowing any amount, but marijuana is difficult to regulate, and states are grappling with how to prevent people from driving under the influence.
"Essentially we've let the horse out of the barn," says Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of external engagement with the Governors Highway Safety Association. "We need to make sure that we have things in place to protect others in the event that someone chooses to consume cannabis and get behind the wheel and be impaired."
Studies show THC can impair driving. It slows down driving speeds and reaction times and makes people swerve. Yet that varies widely by a person's tolerance to the drug, and the data is unclear on how big a problem driving while high actually is. In Colorado, for instance, fatal car crashes where a driver had THC in their blood went up after legalization. But it's difficult to determine whether a person was actively high at the time they crashed.
"When it comes to alcohol, the breath alcohol level is correlated very strongly with your blood alcohol level, which is correlated very strongly with your brain alcohol level," says Cinnamon Bidwell, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.
In other words, an alcohol breathalyzer is a good stand-in for how drunk and impaired a person is, but THC can stay in a person's system for hours, or even days, after they are no longer high.
"Can we detect THC accurately and reliably? The answer is yes. We can detect it in saliva. We can detect it in blood. We're working on reliable ways to detect it in breath," Bidwell says. "But what does that mean? And is there a level that means somebody recently used or that somebody is actively impaired? The data aren't there yet."
Without that, she says states risk over-punishing people who do use but don't drive while high.
Researchers, private companies and state governments are racing to find a tool that detects marijuana impairment with the ease and reliability of the alcohol breathalyzer.
In addition to Minnesota, officers in Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado and Wisconsin use or have piloted saliva tests. In Missouri, police have tested goggles that measure a driver's pupil size and movement. In Colorado, Bidwell is part of a team of researchers studying THC breathalyzers. In Vermont and Illinois, researchers have developed apps that could test a person's cognitive abilities roadside.
"We're all circling around the same question, which is, did you use recently?" says Ashley Brooks-Russell, an associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health. "If someone's done something to cause a crash or be pulled over for a DUI, we want to know, are they impaired?"
Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, says with or without a test to back officers up, it's crucial to teach them what to look for. A test, he says, is just another tool.
"All that is, is confirming or supporting what you saw on the roadside," he says. "To use an ice cream analogy, the test is kind of like the cherry on the top, but ice cream is still great even if it doesn't have whipped cream and cherry." (for complete article NPR)
- Details
- Hits: 493
Key Takeaways
- Data from over 222,600 mother-child pairs were analysed in this linkage cohort study.
- This study examined maternal cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the risk of disruptive behavioural disorders (DBDs) in offspring.
- Children exposed to maternal CUD had a 3-fold increased risk of behavioural disorders after adjusting for covariates, suggesting CUD as an independent predictor of childhood DBD risks.
- Results emphasise the need for interventions to reduce cannabis use among reproductive-age women.
Cite https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116404Get rights and content
- Details
- Hits: 726
Analysis Reveals Widespread Use of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Extreme Potencies, and Systemic Tax Evasion in the Unregulated “Hemp” Market
SACRAMENTO, CA — A new analysis of 104 so-called “hemp” products from 68 brands has uncovered a public health crisis in California’s unregulated hemp market.
The white paper, The Great Hemp Hoax, reveals that 95 percent of tested products contained chemically synthesized cannabinoids, which are prohibited in California.
“Much of what’s being sold as ‘hemp; today isn’t hemp at all — it’s a cocktail of synthetic intoxicants and illicit THC masquerading as a natural, legal product. It’s essentially the ultra-processed junk food of cannabis, but far more dangerous,” said Tiffany Devitt, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Groundwork Holdings, Inc. “These companies aren’t just skirting regulations – they’re putting consumers at serious risk with designer drugs that look a whole lot more like ‘Spice’ than natural hemp.”
Laboratory testing also found alarming potency levels:
- Some gummies contained 32 times more THC than what’s legally allowed in California’s regulated cannabis market.
- Vape products had THC equivalencies averaging 268% above California’s legal threshold.
- Nearly half of the tested products contained THCP, a synthetic compound up to 30 times more potent than natural THC.
- Other products included psychoactive substances such as kratom and hallucinogenic mushrooms — all sold under the guise of hemp.
“We’re not just seeing high-potency THC; we’re seeing an influx of synthetic compounds with unknown health risks,” said Josh Swider, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs. “Many of these substances are unregulated, untested, and more potent than anything found in nature.”
Beyond the public health concerns, these unregulated products are undermining California’s legal cannabis industry and evading taxes:
- 91% of tested products failed to collect California sales taxes.
- None of the vendors remitted required cannabis excise taxes when required to do so.
“These illicit operations aren’t just dangerous — they’re undercutting California’s regulated cannabis businesses and workers,” said Kristin Heidelbach, Legislative Director of the United Food and Commercial Workers, Western States Council. “While licensed cannabis businesses provide good union jobs and comply with strict labor standards, many synthetic ‘hemp’ producers manufacture out-of-state or import from overseas, dodging California’s labor laws and tax obligations.” (for complete story UFCW)
- Details
- Hits: 790
The simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis has become a concerning trend, particularly among young adults aged 18–25, who are often navigating newfound independence in university or college environments. This behaviour, referred to as alcohol and cannabis co-use, involves the consumption of both substances on the same day, whether simultaneously (overlapping effects) or concurrently (separated by time but within the same 24-hour period). Some may perceive co-use as a way to enhance pleasurable experiences, but it significantly risks health, safety, and long-term well-being.
Why Do Young Adults Engage in Co-Use? One key factor driving alcohol and cannabis co-use is the pursuit of pleasure – pure hedonic motivators. Numerous studies have documented that young adults perceive co-use as more enjoyable compared to consuming either substance on its own. Individuals report experiences such as enhanced euphoria, reduced stress, and feelings of social bonding when alcohol and cannabis are used together.
Laboratory studies suggest that when alcohol is consumed, it heightens the absorption of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, intensifying sensations of euphoria. This additive or synergistic effect can reinforce the desire to co-use, even for those who may feel ambivalent about either substance independently.
Motivations for this behaviour also extend to enhancement motives, suggesting that young adults co-use in pursuit of an elevated mood or heightened pleasure. However, while they report enhanced enjoyment, research has found that this perception of increased pleasure may not always correlate with their actual experience.
Acute and Long-Term Risks of Co-Use: While the simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis may appear pleasurable in the moment, it is critical to underscore the severe risks associated with this behaviour. Co-use heightens the likelihood of experiencing acute negative outcomes, including:
- Hangovers and blackouts from excessive alcohol consumption.
- Cognitive impairment and memory issues exacerbated by combining substances.
- Respiratory and cardiovascular problems, particularly for individuals prone to health complications.
- Substance use disorders, with increased potential for dependency when mixing substances regularly.
Alcohol and cannabis co-use poses dangers that extend beyond the short term. Prolonged or frequent use can impair decision-making abilities, erode mental health, and contribute to academic decline. Furthermore, the presence of synthetic substances such as fentanyl in counterfeit cannabis products has amplified the risk of overdose.
Young adults who engage in this behaviour often dismiss these risks, falsely believing that the temporary pleasures outweigh the likelihood of harm they may face later in life.
Adverse Social and Health Implications: The societal cost of alcohol and cannabis co-use is significant. Beyond immediate health consequences, engaging in risky behaviours serves to normalise substance dependency among peers and younger populations. For college students, the practice of regular co-use diminishes their ability to fully engage in educational opportunities, raising the likelihood of academic failure and decreased life prospects over time.
Additionally, individuals who combine alcohol and cannabis are more likely to engage in unsafe behaviours such as impaired driving, violence, or unprotected sex, broadening the scope of harm to themselves and society. Family and friends often feel the ripple effects, including emotional distress and strained relationships.
Moving Towards Prevention: With increased reports of alcohol and cannabis co-use in young adults, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and families must take collective action to minimise this behaviour. The importance of raising awareness about the realities of co-use cannot be emphasised enough. Young people should be made aware of the immediate risks, such as cognitive impairment and overdose, alongside the long-term consequences that may irreparably harm their futures.
Efforts must focus on prevention strategies that guide young adults towards making healthier choices. Schools and universities must establish support systems that dissuade substance use while encouraging meaningful engagement in alternative activities. Rather than normalising the pursuit of pleasure through substances, fostering opportunities for natural social bonding, exercise, and creativity offers lasting rewards without compromising well-being.
Furthermore, clear communication from families and strict regulations surrounding substance accessibility help reduce instances of co-use. Educators, community leaders, and healthcare professionals can also work together to develop robust intervention programmes that address peer pressures and social misconceptions early on.
(Source: Science Direct)
- Details
- Hits: 574
Cannabis: A Real 'Heart Stopper'? An Exposé on Heart Harm - Part 1
This comprehensive analysis examines the extensive evidence linking cannabis use to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, synthesizing data from multiple large-scale studies and systematic reviews. https://wrdnews.org/cannabis-a-real-heart-stopper-an-expose-on-heart-harm-part-1/
#cannabisismedicine that isn't! #CannabisLifestyle that isn't! #cannabisculture that isn't!
Cannabis: A Real 'Heart Stopper'? An Exposé on Heart Harm - Part 2
The perioperative period represents a unique window of vulnerability for cannabis users, where cardiovascular risks can manifest in particularly challenging ways https://wrdnews.org/cannabis-a-real-heart-stopper-an-expose-on-heart-harm-part-2/