‘Paradigm-Changing’ Cannabis Breath Test Emerges As Weed Surpasses Alcohol In Daily Use
With cannabis consumption now surpassing alcohol as the daily substance of choice among Americans, it seems only fitting that an effective, scientifically validated breath test should be developed sooner rather than later.
While alcohol breath tests have been around for nearly a century, detecting cannabis in breath samples is far more complex, so say the numerous scientists racing to find a solution. Tara Lovestead, chemical engineer with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) compared it to “looking for a needle in a haystack.”
But Now, A ‘Paradigm-Changing’ Method
NIST and University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that a single breath test might not reliably detect recent cannabis use in that marijuana can remain in the body for weeks – not the psychoactive effect – thus complicating the task of distinguishing between past and recent use.
Researchers say they’re on to …