The post Volunteers Smoke Weed To Aid Police Training appeared first on High Times.
Despite California legalizing recreational marijuana on the dawn of the New Year, the state’s policies and regulations remain somewhat in a ‘trial and error’ phase. And so the state is having volunteers smoke weed to aid police training. Wait, what?
One of the biggest issues surrounding cannabis’ new status, has been monitoring and deterring users from driving under the influence of marijuana, something that has proven to be easier said than done. Unlike an alcohol breathalyzer test, there’s not a reliable roadside test, so much of the jurisdiction is left in the hands of the arresting officer, and ultimately, a judge.
However, not everyone responds to the plant in the exact same way, which creates another cause for concern amongst officials. As California looks for a potential solution to the issue, they have turned their attention to better understanding the physical and mental effects of smoking weed. Specifically, by having some eager volunteers smoke weed to aid police training.
Volunteers Needed
Considering recreational weed is in the ‘green’ stages of legality, volunteers haven’t necessarily been banging down the door to smoke weed in front of an array of police officers. But despite the lingering effects of prohibition, California native Edson Villegas had no issue showcasing his high to the authorities.
According to KCAL9/CBS2’s Tina Patel, Villegas took part in the voluntary “green lab” study to help officers, prosecutors and lab toxicologists get a better understanding of marijuana impairment.
In the study, volunteers would take field sobriety tests completely sober. They would then go into a tent, smoke some cannabis, and re-take the sobriety tests. According to Glendale Police Officer Bryan Duncan, there were