Feature of Month
Cannabis Use Versus Impairment ,
Law Enforcement Education and Field Sobriety Testing
Editorial by Clayton Stallings
Cannabis use versus impairment is one of the most debated and highly arguable topics when it comes to cannabis legalization and law enforcement in every state across the nation . Unlike alcohol , there are currently no devices on the market for law enforcement to distinguish levels of cannabis intoxication when operating a vehicle . Blood tests are inaccurate because THC remains in the bloodstream for days , even months , after use . Therefore , it becomes at the discretion of the police officer through field sobriety testing of balance and motor function skills . Obviously , this can be very subjective , especially when those officers have spent their entire careers enforcing cannabis laws while mostly only seeing the adverse effects of irresponsible use . In addition , cannabis would all too often get lumped in with other factors like alcohol or other drug use when accidents or other criminal activity occurred . Most law officers ’ stigma surrounding cannabis will never shift as fast as the changing cannabis laws , much less , re-education efforts .
Unfortunately , this problem gets consistently overlooked as more and more states start legalizing cannabis use . The same thing happened here in Missouri . After Amendment 3 went into effect , legalizing medical marijuana in Missouri in 2018 , arrests continued to occur across the state mainly due to a lack of education on the new constitutional rules and rights for medical marijuana patients . This lack of education , combined with the difficulty in determining cannabis use versus impairment , quickly became problematic for those on both sides of the issue , creating an even greater divide between cannabis users and law enforcement .
“ There is a lack of understanding on the constitutional amendment and how to distinguish the differences between a medical patient and an adult-use user , how cannabis is used , as well the differences between use and impairment ,” explained Ryan Hutton , owner of Extract-ED . Hutton has been a law enforcement officer since 2010 , including at municipal , county , and state levels during that time frame . He now provides specialized training for officers to recognize drug impairment on various drug types .
Recognizing the overwhelming need for this education and understanding after the cannabis laws changed in Missouri , Hutton launched Extract-ED . “ The primary goal of Extract-ED is to keep up with the changing legislation , whether it be cannabis , psilocybin [ magic mushrooms ], or other current topics , and bring that education to those in law enforcement ,” Hutton continued . “ Especially to the ones that must address these topics on a daily basis .” Hutton ’ s determination to educate law enforcement and cadets on our state ’ s new cannabis legislation not only convinced the state to include his curriculum as approved continuing education , but he also developed and produced the state ’ s first Green Lab studies .
Ryan Hutton , owner of Extract-ED , instructs classes to educate law enforcement about Missouri ’ s new cannabis laws . His stateapproved curriculum and continuing education helps law enforcement distinguish levels of cannabis intoxication when operating a vehicle , other state regulations regarding possession limits and more .
“ The purpose of a Green Lab is to introduce law enforcement to a subject ( cannabis user ) that for many of them has been off limits for the majority of their career . A controlled environment , like the green lab , helps the officers gain exposure to users and the different levels of consumption without other toxins being part of the picture ,” explained Hutton .
36 May 2023