New York is putting the doobie before traffic safety, law enforcement officials charge — and it’s forcing Albany to give the issue high priority.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is scrambling to develop a way to measure when motorists are driving while under the influence of cannabis since there’s no current standard or valid testing, the Post has learned.
The move comes ahead of the expected issuance of of up to 175 retail licenses to sell marijuana in the coming weeks — jacking up pot access and usage that could potentially put more weed-whacked motorists on the road.
“With the legalization of adult-use cannabis, there are concerns of increased incidences of driving while impaired after cannabis use,” the state Department of Health said in a proposal seeking solutions to detect motorists driving high on pot.
“Identifying drivers impaired by cannabis use is of critical importance…..However, unlike alcohol, there are currently no evidence-based methods to detect cannabis-impaired driving,” health officials said in the pitch to potential bidders.
The DOH is looking for the latest academic research related to cannabis testing — like blood, saliva, or breath — and if pot intoxication can be linked to motor vehicle crashes.
nypost.com/2022/10/09/ny-hunts-for-marijuana-dwi-test-as-cannabis-shops-open/
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