Canna Biz News ►
Consuming Medical Marijuana
to Train Cops ?
That ’ s Exactly What Extract-ED Plans to Do on March 1st .
The EVOLUTION Magazine , News Room
Currently , 11 states have legalized
cannabis for adult ( recreational ) use and 33 for medicinal use . Though Missouri was not the first state to legalize , it can be the first to integrate the cannabis industry and law enforcement . Now that Missouri has legalized medical cannabis , law enforcement officers are likely to contact persons who have consumed and possess “ legal ” medical cannabis products more frequently . It ’ s essential that officers are educated on “ legal ” cannabis , patient rights , cannabis consumption , and the effects of cannabis use to protect patients .
Extract-ED LLC was established in 2018 by Ryan Hutton , a full-time law enforcement officer ( 11 years ). “ As an officer , I saw a real need to educate law enforcement in areas which they do not receive training regarding Missouri ’ s newly legalized medical cannabis ,” said Hutton . “ At the time we launched Extract-ED , Missouri had just legalized medical marijuana . We recognized a training deficiency about medical marijuana for law enforcement , which is unfair not only to police officers but also to the medical patients they may encounter . We quickly realized that we could not provide this training alone and knew that we would need help from the medical marijuana industry . To our pleasant surprise , the industry quickly stepped forward to help , which has given us this unique opportunity to connect and educate law enforcement about Missouri ’ s legal cannabis industry .”
Today , Extract-ED provides training to law enforcement , prosecutors , and civilian entities in various Missouri medical marijuana laws , rules , and regulations topics . This training is presented by current or former law enforcement officers who are considered experts in their fields . Its aim is to provide this education to law enforcement officers across Missouri and continue its efforts to bridge the gap
12 February 2021 between law enforcement , the legal medical cannabis patients , and the industry .
Hutton ’ s Cannabis “ Green Lab ” training is a new idea that provides vital law enforcement training as cannabis legalization continues nationwide . What is Green Lab ? When officers are taught how to recognize alcohol impairment , training often consists of what ’ s called “ Wet Labs .” A Wet Lab is where volunteers are dosed with alcohol to various levels . Officers then administer sobriety tests on the volunteers to determine if they are impaired . This training helps officers identify and differentiate between those who have only drunk alcohol and those more impacted and “ under the influence ” of alcohol . Green Lab works the same ; however , cannabis is used instead of alcohol .
What ’ s the Purpose ?
Despite a person ’ s thoughts on cannabis use or law enforcement , we can all agree that everyone ’ s safety on the roadways is essential . The purpose of a Green Lab is to teach officers the difference between someone who has consumed cannabis and someone who is overly impaired by cannabis . Think in terms of alcohol . If someone drinks one drink ( a 12 oz beer , 2 oz of liquor , 5 oz of wine ), they are most likely not impaired . They may smell like alcohol , but that is not illegal . Likewise , with the medical cannabis program , patients may smell like marijuana — not illegal — instead , impairment by cannabis is what officers should be concerned about .
How Does a Green Lab Work ?
Qualified volunteer patients will consume their medical cannabis in a private setting . Once the administration is complete , patient volunteers will be escorted by Extract-ED instructors to the classroom . Officers will administer field sobriety tests on volunteers . These tests will be an excellent opportunity for officers and qualified patients to interact in a positive educational setting . The amount of cannabis used , how it was consumed , impairment indicators — if any , will be recorded by the instructor and reviewed with the student officers and the volunteer patients . Once the patient volunteers are released from the training , the Extract-ED team will provide safe transportation home .
What is the Goal of this Training ?
It ’ s simple and critically needed — law enforcement education . There is an obvious disconnect between the legal-use cannabis community and law enforcement . By cannabis patients and the industry working together with law enforcement , we can help educate each other and establish a healthy relationship for all . This training is also an excellent opportunity not only for the qualified patient volunteers but every patient to understand what amount of cannabis may put them at risk of being considered impaired . Plus , who hasn ’ t wanted to perform sobriety tests after consumption — without the risk of being handcuffed and jailed ?
Extract-ED cannot do this alone . OXG LLC , a medical marijuana cultivation facility and