Hawai'i Police Undertake Program To Detect Cannabis Impaired Driving With Help Of Medical Marijuana Patients

The Hawai'i Police Department (HPD) recently participated in a Cannabis Impaired Driving "Green Lab," the first of its kind in the state.

Medical marijuana patients volunteered for this three-day training event, taking part in standardized field sobriety tests, conducted by 25 officers. The tests were undertaken with licensed medical marijuana patients permitted to consume cannabis in verified dosages. The idea was for the officers to observe the effects on the volunteers' cognitive functions, coordination, motor skills and the altered perception of time and space. The testing showed correlating levels of consumption and impairment.

"The Green Lab represents a proactive initiative by the Hawai‘i Police Department to address cannabis-impaired driving and underscores the department's commitment to ensuring the well-being of all residents and visitors," stated Torey Keltner, HPD's traffic services section program manager.

Green Labs has been used by police departments nationwide in recent years.

Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi of the Traffic Enforcement Unit stressed the importance of is this type of training. "It's crucial for law enforcement to be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to address cannabis-impaired driving effectively. The Green Lab plays a vital role in enhancing our ability to keep our island communities safe."

In 2023, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic crashes had marijuana in their system, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, Governor Josh Green (D) signed House Bill 1595 into law, The cannabis expungement legislation would launch a single-county pilot program to expunge non-conviction cannabis arrest records in Hawai'i County.

Another measure to establish a task force in charge of creating a broader expungement-focused bill is also expected to become law.

See Also: Hawaii Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Fails Amid Unified Legislative Opposition

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaii Police Department