Researchers developing breath test for pot

• Washington State University developing a device that would test drivers for marijuana impairment
• Officers currently have to use blood tests
• The new technology would test positive or negative to THC
• Washington legalized recreational marijuana in 2012

By Associated Press Reporter

Published: 13:42 EST, 29 November 2014 | Updated: 00:58 EST, 30 November 2014

Researchers at Washington State University in Seattle are working on a breath test to determine if a driver is under the influence of marijuana.

The News Tribune reports that law enforcement officers have a test for alcohol, but they don't have a tool to test for marijuana impairment.

Right now, officers must use blood tests to determine if THC is present in a driver's blood.

But WSU chemistry professor Herbert Hill says existing technologies like those used by airport security agents to detect drugs and explosives can be altered to test breath for THC.

New technology: Washington State University are developing a handheld device that police officers would use test drivers for marijuana impairment. There is no current such tool for cops conducting traffic stops

Hill says his team hopes to start testing on humans early next year.

The Washington State Patrol says it welcomes anything that gets impaired drivers off the road.

The issue of stoned drivers has only increased for police since the state legalized recreational marijuana use in 2012.

The handheld device being developed is not likely to be able to determine how much THC is in a driver's system.

The current legal limit is five nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood.

However the test will be able to determine whether there is THC present.

That will be enough for officers to make an arrest of an impaired driver and then do further tests that could be used in court as evidence.

'We believe at least initially that it would lower the false positives that an officer would have,' Hill told The Tribune.

'They would have a higher level of confidence in making an arrest.'

A State Patrol spokesman said they were excited about the new technology, but would not be willing to implement it until the tests are 'rock solid'.

Under development: Tests on the THC technology are due to start at Washington State University (pictured) in January