New Roadside Police Drug Test Discerns Marijuana from Hemp

Forensic chemists in Switzerland have developed a drug test that differentiates marijuana from hemp. It is able to determine the specific concentration of THC in a sample.  Some U.S. law enforcement agencies are evaluating the testing method to determine if it is a viable option for roadside DUI tests.

The DEA said its investigating the efficacy of these tests “so that we can understand the limitations of that test,” according to NBC 4 Washington. Labs in certain states, such as Virginia and Texas, don’t have technologically-advanced forensic laboratories to determine the specific concentration of THC in a sample in order to determine if the sample is marijuana or hemp.

Now that hemp is legal (again), these advanced roadside tests are necessary. The new tests have been used to examine hundreds of samples with impeccable accuracy. This newly developed test will turn pink if high concentrations of CBD are in a sample. It turns blue if THC is detected.

For law enforcement, knowing if a product contains more than .03% THC is vital in determining if some is in possession of hemp or marijuana.

Michael Bovens of the Zurich Forensic Science Institute said, “We are happy if the test is used in other countries as well, of course.”

It’s expected that more U.S. law enforcement agencies will begin to use the roadside test.