Researchers developing handheld breathalyser tool to test for THC

Cannabis News World

Nov 2

Researchers developing handheld breathalyser tool to test for THC
Cannabis Health News

Researchers say they are a step closer to developing a handheld breathalyser tool to detect THC after consumption of cannabis. Scientists at UCLA in the US have been working on the development of a handheld tool – similar to an alcohol breathalyser – that can detect THC on a person's breath after consuming cannabis. In a paper published last month, UCLA chemistry professor Neil Garg and researchers from the startup ElectraTect Inc, describe the process by which THC, when introduced in a solution into their laboratory-built device, can be oxidised, creating an electric current. The strength of this current indicates how much of the psychoactive compound is present. With the recent legalisation and decriminalisation of cannabis in many countries and US states, the availability of a breathalyser-like tool could help make roadways safer, the researchers said. But beyond that, the technology also has the potential to make cannabis law-enforcement fairer. Generally, urine or blood tests are used to detect the presence of THC in drivers. Not only are these tests difficult to administer at the roadside, but they have been found to be inaccurate and ineffective at measuring impairment. THC can remain in the body for weeks after cannabis use without any residual cognitive effects. This ambiguity can lead to fines, imprisonment or loss of employment, even if an individual is not intoxicated when tested. Such issues highlight the need for innovative forensic technologies that are easier to use and more accurate for detecting recent cannabis use. READ MORE: What does UK law say about medical cannabis and driving? In 2020, Garg and UCLA postdoctoral researcher Evan Darzi discovered that removing a hydrogen molecule from the larger THC molecule caused it to change colours in a detectable way. The process, known as oxidation, is similar to that used in alcohol…