You have so just lit up not at a traffic signal but with that herbal friend you adore. That soft groove veers sharply when the issue of Marijuana Impairment Test comes up. In what way do we quantify that high? As it turns out, science has not quite perfected this yet.
Let us gently reverse a little. There is a consistent Breathalyzer for alcohol. Pull weeds. Not quite so neat and exact. The main component in marijuana, THC loves to linger in fat cells, lasting long after your feelings pass. This makes real-time testing somewhat difficult.
Scientists are developing answers combining biology with technology. Red eyes? Mostly. slow reflexes? Mostly. These are not a slam dunk though. Then there are cognitive tests that hone in on your ability to follow eye movements smoothly or complete easy activities.
Imagine Greg from your block; he swears he drives better when he is high. Here's a teaser: he truly doesn't. Like straying into a fog without a guide, weed may weaken those responses and obscure judgment. Like monitoring dancing motions when the music is playing, the new tests aim to identify momentary disability.
Let's not, however, leap the shark. Still seeking their place are these tests. Law enforcement is intrigued but also dubious. Especially as technology develops, finding a balance between exact data and personal privacy is no simple task.
Imagine arriving into your office one day and being measured for THC levels using a device the size of your phone. Sounds quite futuristic, actually. That day is not here yet, though. Right now we are negotiating a changing terrain of creation and control.
To clarify the record: no, a magic wand cannot expose someone's buzz. Still, safety is nothing to play around with jokes. Like handling twisted holiday lights, testing for cannabis impairment presents a difficult task. Mostly important are patience and creativity.