Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2016
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Lucie Edwardson
Page: 9

POLICE WELCOME NEW BREATHALYZER

Marijuana test to be in force's hands by early 2017: Developer

The Calgary Police Service said they're encouraged by companies
working on solutions to impaired driving by drugs - including a
marijuana breathalyzer.

Mike Lynn, and emergency room doctor, reserve deputy sheriff and CEO
of The Hounds Labs, Inc. based out of Oakland California said they're
close to completing their marijuana breathalyzer and are hoping to do
pilot projects with law enforcement agencies.

"There is a huge amount of interest in what we're doing and that part
has been really quite gratifying," he said. "Now we're working as hard
as we can and as fast as possible to get the tools out there."

Staff Sgt. Paul Stacey said impaired driving by drugs is a problem
they're constantly working at finding better solutions to, and said
with marijuana legalization around the corner he is sure those on the
federal committee are looking at devices like Hound Labs.'

"What I suspect will happen, much like it was with alcohol, I expect
it'll be an evolution," he said. "There will be a probably some trial
and error, court challenges and will evolve based on a number of
factors. I think what we start out with will probably evolve into
something that will be the standard."

Hound Labs has been working on the device for some time, according to
Lynn. He said it measures THC levels in a person's body by collecting
breath samples the same as an alcohol breathalyzer, ultimately giving
the officer using the device a THC level in parts per trillion.

Lynn said in both his job as an ER doctor and reserve deputy sheriff
he sees the need for a device like this to help curb stoned driving.

"I've seen the effects firsthand of impaired driving and also on the
law enforcement side I know the challenges my fellow officers face
trying to remove people from the road who are impaired," he said.
"Every single one of those accidents where someone is injured is
preventable."

Stacey said although CPS won't be signing up unless it's a federally
mandated tool, it's encouraging to see private industry stepping up to
help law enforcement detect drug impaired driving.

"Absolutely we aren't shying away from it, we're encouraged by it," he
said. "I just don't know what it'll look like. As everybody is trying
to get in on this we're going to see some great innovations."
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MAP posted-by: Matt