Weed is now legal in my state and I know a lot of people that are pretty good at hiding when they are high. Since there's no breathalyzer for it, how can the police tell that you're driving high?
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You’re correct that there is no breathalyzer test for cannabis, but if an officer suspects that you’re under the influence, there are several other ways they can prove that you’re driving high:
Blood and urine tests—while the efficacy of these vary, some states will use blood and urine tests to detect the presence of drugs in your system.
**Drug Recognition Experts (DREs)**—DREs are law enforcement officers who have been trained in a scientifically validated method to identify people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They follow a nationally recognized testing procedure and are recognized as expert witnesses in court.
The Dräger DrugTest 5000—this is a newer test that consists of a simple mouth swab and can be used to detect meth, weed, coke, benzodiazepines, and more.
In short, there are several different ways that police can tell if you’re driving high, and the technology is getting more advanced all the time. Don’t risk a costly ticket or getting your license suspended—it’s not worth it.
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