COPS AND CANNABIS
Green Labs Workshops
Educate Cops about Cannabis
Workshops to educate Law Enforcement about cannabis and consumption help alleviate old stigmas and protect consumers by reducing unnecessary arrests .
by Kayla Hutton , contributing writer
On Wednesday , February 12 , 2025 , in Creve Coeur , MO , Extract-ED , LLC hosted a Cannabis Impairment Detection Workshop called “ Green Lab ” as part of a law enforcement training program . Extract-ED , LLC , in collaboration with the Missouri Office of Highway Safety & Traffic , received a grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association ( GHSA ) and Responsibility . org to cover the facilitation expenses . Additionally , Sinse and Swade Cannabis Companies allowed access to their manufacturing facility so officers could learn about the legal cannabis industry in Missouri .
The goal of this and future training is to educate officers about the cannabis culture , trends , legality , and testing methods . Ryan Hutton , the owner of Extract-ED , LLC , explains , “ My goal is to provide a controlled environment for students to apply Field Sobriety Test training techniques .” He also aims to demonstrate the use of cannabis versus THC impairment .
During the Green Lab , 20 local and out-of-state law enforcement officers and nine observers , including local prosecuting attorneys , and an associate circuit judge toured the Swade Cannabis manufacturing facility to learn more about the industry .
( Photo by Clayton Stallings .)
A “ Green Lab ” is where officers trained on drug impairment test volunteers who ’ ve consumed cannabis then undergo field sobriety tests . In addition , the volunteers also underwent driving simulator tests and provided oral fluid samples to track the absorption of THC in their bodies throughout the lab .
Using volunteers who have consumed in a controlled environment allows officers to hone their detection skills . Eight volunteers arranged by the Sinse and Swade Cannabis Companies participated in this workshop . Throughout the consumption and training , the volunteers were supervised by Drug Recognition Experts ( DREs ). The course was attended by 20 local police officers as well as nine observers . The observer group included local and out-of-state law enforcement , local prosecuting attorneys , an associate circuit judge , and international law
enforcement looking to implement similar training in their country ’ s police academies . The officers earned six hours of continuing education credits for completing the course . Cannabis volunteers smoked or vaped cannabis twice during the eight-hour program . All consumers underwent assessments by officers twice .
Green Lab volunteers like Melissa Khan , associate director , MoCannTrade consume cannabis in a controlled environment and are assessed by officers to hone their detection skills . “ Collaborating with law enforcement through hands-on training like Extract-ED Green Labs ensure a deeper understanding of cannabis impairment , helping to promote both public safety and industry education .” ~ Melissa Khan . ( Photo by Clayton Stallings .)
During the initial consumption , the experienced volunteers consumed what they considered a lower amount than their normal dose . For the second round of consumption , volunteers who were comfortable doing so consumed a higher amount . The volunteers were closely monitored to assess their level of impairment . The officers are blind to the consumption method and amount consumed and must rely solely on indicators seen during the field tests .
A previous law enforcement attendee of this training stated , “ This training has opened my eyes to medicinal users and the proper use of medical marijuana compared to those who abuse the use of medical marijuana . I believe it will assist in making proper , educated , and correct decisions to arrest in future interactions .”
Volunteers ended the day in front of the class , answering questions from officers and learning whether they would have been arrested or not . They were also asked if they would feel comfortable driving , given their current level of impairment . All the volunteers were provided safe transportation to the training and then back home afterward , and they agreed not to operate a motor vehicle after leaving the training facility that day .
The next Extract-ED Cannabis Impairment Detection Workshop will be in Warrensburg in April . This will be the last workshop with expenses covered under GHSA grant . Extract-ED will re-apply , but there are no guarantees . Learn more about Extract-ED Green Labs and how you can help at www . Extract-ED . com .
32 March 2025