Many Alaskans have questioned how law enforcement officers rule driving under the influence of cannabis since the drug’s recreational legalization February 24.
Megan Peters with the Alaska State Troopers said once patrol stops drivers for the usual traffic violations…
Peters: “Troopers would question the driver, conduct standard field sobriety tests, there is no field testing device for marijuana impairment being used by the troopers. If arrested for a DUI a driver would be requested to provide breath samples for determining the amount of alcohol and if the breath alcohol results is under .08 then a law enforcement drug recognition expert who has special training can come to the scene and do followup.”
She said if necessary, officers can request to search the vehicle or issue a search warrant.
Driving under the influence cases involving only marijuana are rare in Alaska and the only driver charged with DUI of marijuana was a 55 year-old Eagle River man pulled over due to a seat belt violation. That case is still pending.
The only way to test drivers currently for THC, the main intoxicating component of cannabis, is through a blood test, which is expensive due to special protocols and extra training required, storage of the samples, and delay of test results.
There are saliva tests available but are reportedly not as reliable in court cases to prove intoxication.
Many institutions across the nation are working on technological advancements to assist.