First saliva screening roadside test for THC approved for Canadian law enforcement

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In preparation for legal cannabis sales nationwide, Canadian Justice Minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould has approved a new roadside test to check for drug impairment.

The Drager DrugTest 5000 will be the first equipment for saliva screening to be used by Canadian law enforcement. It has the ability to test for THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana.

The Liberal government has promised $161 million in funding for drug-testing equipment and for police training over the course of the next five years in conjunction with a public awareness campaign about the risks of driving while high.

The new equipment will be made available to law enforcement across Canada but police forces will be able to decide on their own what equipment they use.

Roadside saliva tests were approved in June by Parliament to test for substances such as cocaine, cannabis and others.

Though legalization is quickly approaching in less than two months, the Canadian Association of Police said in July that it’s unlikely that enough police officers will be trained in time. The goal was to have at least 2,000 officers trained by October 17.

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