In May, Hawaii Police Department officers participated in the first training of its kind in the state: the Green Cannabis Impaired Driving Lab, which trains officers to detect and address cannabis-impaired drivers. .
What you need to know
- Area Traffic Enforcement Unit II Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi led the three-day training in May in which 25 officers performed standardized field sobriety tests on volunteer medical cannabis patients.
- Through tests, the agents were able to observe the effects of cannabis on the volunteers’ cognitive functions, coordination and motor skills, as well as their perception of time and space.
- Last year, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic accidents had cannabis in their system.
- Area Traffic Enforcement Unit II Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi led the three-day training in May in which 25 officers performed standardized field sobriety tests on volunteer medical cannabis patients.
- Through tests, the agents were able to observe the effects of cannabis on the volunteers’ cognitive functions, coordination and motor skills, as well as their perception of time and space.
- Last year, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic accidents had cannabis in their system.
In recent years, police departments across the country have used Green Labs, according to a news release.
Area II Traffic Control Unit Sgt. Thomas Koyanagi led the three-day training in which 25 officers performed standardized field sobriety tests on volunteer medical cannabis patients. Volunteers were licensed medical cannabis patients who could legally consume their cannabis product in verified doses off-site. Officers transported volunteers during training.
Through tests, agents were able to observe the effects of cannabis on the volunteers’ cognitive functions, coordination and motor skills and on their perception of time and space. Tests showed how consumption correlated with impairment.
Traffic safety remains a priority for state law enforcement as cannabis use continues to influence impaired driving. Last year, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic accidents had cannabis in their system.
“The Green Lab represents a proactive initiative by the Hawaii Police Department to address cannabis-impaired driving and underscores the department’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all residents and visitors,” said Police Section Program Director Hawaii Police Department Traffic Services Torey Keltner in the release.
Koyanagi highlighted the importance of the program in keeping roads safe. “It is crucial that law enforcement is equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively address cannabis-impaired driving. The Green Lab plays a vital role in improving our ability to keep our island communities safe,” he said.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. You can contact her at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.
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