interact with the officers for the entire day . By the end of the day , you can physically see an officer ’ s decades of stigmatic and division diluted down by this education to not only determine accurate field sobriety tests and collect valuable data in favor of both but also to bridge the gap between the two . At the beginning of each Green Lab that I help with , it ’ s easy to see the initial natural fear between the two sides , but every time , you see that fear dissipate by the end of the day .
These “ risk-taker ” cannabis consumers don ’ t represent the experienced cannabis consumers who know , recognize , and respect their consumption levels , especially when it comes to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle . Studies show the number one reason police pull someone over is for either speeding or weaving .
Many of the risk-takers or inexperienced cannabis users are the very subjects of certain simulator studies who are targeted as volunteers . Often , they are the ONLY volunteer subjects that get to participate in such studies . When you don ’ t know many experienced cannabis consumers like someone running a NIDA ( National Institute of Drug Addiction ) funded simulation study , what kind of results do you think they are actually looking for ?
In the Green Labs , the full spectrum of cannabis consumers participate , and the results of the Green Lab data easily show the differences between their performances . Most of the experienced cannabis users pass the first round of field sobriety tests , whereas inexperienced users seem to fail most of the time .
Ryan Hutton speaks to police officers at an Extract-ED Green Labs class , educating them about cannabis consumption facts and fictions , and proper field sobriety testing .
In simulation studies , there is NO interaction with local law enforcement . They just set up tests to show failure in cannabis and driving . Part of the problem with any state introducing cannabis legalization is that none of the legislation for legalization includes any form of retraining local law enforcement . The only interaction with cannabis consumers the officers have experienced up to the point of legalization is typically dealing with people who have over-consumed or inexperienced cannabis users as “ risk-takers ” and associated problems that led to the interaction .
At the May Green Labs , volunteers and police officers met at the end of the day to discuss the experience and results .
For more information about Extract-ED ’ s Green Labs , review my article in last month ’ s issue ( July 2024 ). I explain to our readers and the cannabis industry how we are looking for sponsors to help continue Green Labs ’ efforts locally and potentially nationally . The data we have collected over the last three years and will continue to collect in future Green Labs is the closest thing to protecting cannabis consumers , educating local law enforcement about cannabis consumption , and protecting everyone on our shared roads . You just don ’ t get all this valuable research data from simulation studies !
Lastly , we would never condone anyone driving under the influence of anything –– period . Be smart and think about yourself and others before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle . There are plenty of other options available to get a ride safely home .
1 . https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 4JZLFVTSnjQ
Don ’ t be a “ risk-taker ” letting this happen to you !
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