Marijuana legalization legislation is expected to be introduced in spring 2017. While weed is expected to be legalized in Canada, driving under the influence of cannabis will not be.
The Regina Police Service (RPS) and police agencies across the country are working to determine the best practices for testing impaired drivers.
Field tests already exist and are practiced, but new technology may be entering the field.
“Like, say a mouth swab, and the saliva is then analyzed at the roadside and there’s a whole bunch of emerging technologies that we’re looking at right now,” RPS Sgt. Ian Barr said.
However, the RPS still has questions about the tests. Like, do they work in -40 degree conditions?
“These technologies not only have to be practical to use in summer and winter, and easy to understand, but they also have to be scientifically backed and accurate.”
For now, there are other field methods deployed by the RPS if they pull someone over suspected to be under the influence of illegal drugs.
“We call them SFST, which stands for standardized field sobriety testing,” Barr explained.
One of these test involves getting suspects to walk a straight line, heel-to-toe, while counting the steps out loud. Barr said these tests are often ordered based on factors like smells, or objects an officer sees in a car.
“There’s certain clues that we look for while we’re having the subjects perform those tests… they’re very effective at weeding out people who are impaired by alcohol or drugs,” Barr remarked.