HEALTH

Are Breathalyzers for Cannabis Really Just Around the Corner?

Boulder, USASat Dec 28 2024
You might have heard that cannabis breathalyzers could be coming soon. But let's slow down and take a closer look. The science of measuring cannabis impairment is still in its early stages, and creating a reliable breathalyzer for THC isn't as simple as it sounds. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have been investigating this topic for years. They discovered that breathalyzers can detect THC in breath, but that's not the same as measuring the level of impairment. Surprisingly, they found that cannabis potency doesn't always match up with how impaired someone feels. This inconsistency shows how complex this issue is. Even though some companies claim otherwise, we're not quite there yet. However, scientists are dedicated to finding a solution. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has even partnered with the University of Colorado Boulder to develop a reliable breathalyzer. Let's see what the future holds!

questions

    Will future cannabis breathalyzers come with a built-in 'munchies' detector?
    Are big pharma companies secretly funding research to create inaccurate THC breathalyzers to discourage cannabis use?
    How might the variability in cannabis potency affect the accuracy of THC breathalyzers?

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