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As various states are legalizing the use of marijuana, the issue of drivers on the road being under the influence has become more common. New Jersey in particular just legalized marijuana for recreational use in February of 2021. That being said, driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal. When a driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, the police officer can simply issue a breathalyzer test. With marijuana, it isn’t as clear. Without a way to test, police officers find themselves going more off of their own observations. Fortunately, the University of Pittsburgh has been testing a marijuana breathalyzer device. Now that marijuana is legal in New Jersey, this device could be very helpful. Read on for more information about the marijuana breathalyzer and consulting a New Jersey attorney.
What You Need to Know
According to a recent AAA study, 15 million people reported having driven while high on marijuana. AAA estimates that being under the influence of pot makes drivers twice as likely to crash. Because of this, the University of Pittsburgh is now testing a marijuana breathalyzer. This breathalyzer measures whether THC is present. It can tell police officers how much THC is present and if the person has smoked within the past three hours. The device is easy and cheap to make because it’s made with a 3D printer. In addition to testing for THC, it can test for alcohol as well. This device will be very helpful to police officers who are trying to keep the roads a safer place and catch drivers who have THC in their system. The THC breathalyzer could also be used to test employees or athletes when a marijuana drug test is necessary.
How a New Jersey Attorney Can Help
THC is a little different from alcohol, because it’s hard to measure how much is too much. It is difficult to know how varying levels of THC can affect someone’s ability to drive. The debate will most likely turn into whether there is a zero-tolerance policy or if there is a certain THC limit. These are all things to think about as states legalize marijuana and as these breathalyzers become readily available for police officers to use.
A breathalyzer for police officers to use will be helpful in determining if a driver is actually under the influence. It is always helpful to have a good New Jersey attorney like Leon Matchin on your side in marijuana related cases. He is experienced in dealing with marijuana charges and will always attempt to get charges downgraded or dismissed. Call Leon Matchin today at 732-887-2479, or contact him via email at [email protected] for more information about the services he can provide.
