VCU

October 4, 2023News EditorNews0

Tarazha Jenkins, Contributing Writer

A colorimetric breathalyzer that can catch a popular cannabis component within minutes has been developed by a VCU professor.

Emanuele Alves, an assistant forensic science professor at VCU, teamed up with Wagner Pacheco, a postdoctoral fellow from the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, to work on the device.

“Our goal is to be able to detect THC in exhaled air, and our idea is to create a test that we can give a fast result in a range of concentrations that is similar to what we see in alcohol breathalyzers,” Alves said.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive component found in cannabis, also known as marijuana. If THC is detected, the device will change colors, like an at-home COVID-19 test or “pH papers,” Alves said.

“The nice catch about that device we are developing, it’s able to give negative results for CBD if only THC is present and vice versa,” Alves said.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is found in hemp and is a part of the cannabis family, but does not have psychoactive effects like THC. CBD is oftentimes sold in smoke shops, gas stations and hemp stores in Virginia, yet its legality varies state by state.

The device produces different colors when THC or CBD is present, so it doesn’t have the problem of giving a false positive, according to Alves.

Alves and Pachecho received a grant from the Department of Justice’s Research and Development in Forensic Sciences for Criminal Justice Purposes fund in 2022 to begin their research on the colorimetric breathalyzer, according to the National Institute of Justice.

“The goal of this device is to improve road safety. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I want to put everybody in jail,’ it’s not that, but at least people should be conscious,” Alves said.

The VCU professor received threats after she did an interview on TV about her work on the breathalyzer.

“I was kind of upset about it,” Alves said. “My husband was truly upset and he was afraid,” Alves said.

Alves said the pair is not working on the breathalyzer to judge impairment.

“There are other groups working in impairments and THC, ” Alves said. “How the legislation, law enforcement, policies are going to be using — it’s not our goal to determine — I’m not working on this to determine if a person is impaired or not.”

Virginians do not view mairjuana-impaired driving as more risky than other dangerous behaviors, according to research. Sixty percent of Virginians view texting as “extremely dangerous,” 49% for alcohol-impaired driving and just 26% for cannabis-influenced driving, according to a recent survey conducted by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, or CCA.

The researcher said there are several studies that need to happen to make the connection between impairment and THC side effects.

“However, I would like people to be conscious that if you use marijuana there is a possibility of you to be impaired — so don’t drive, because you can be caught,” Alves said. “I’m not against or in favor, I never used drugs and I don’t judge who use drugs, it’s not my business.”

Nature Scientific Reports data states that detection of THC in exhaled breath and blood does not directly correlate with recent cannabis consumption or impairment, according to a report by the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML.

“NORML has long argued against the expansion of drug detection testing and has instead opined in favor of the greater use of performance-based tests,” said JM Pedini, NORML’s development director who also serves as executive director of the state chapter, Virginia NORML.

There are products available today like DRUID and AlertMeter that measure a person’s impairment, according to Pedini.

Virginia’s cannabis laws have wavered in the past two years under the GOP-controlled House and Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration.

Cannabis possession became legal in July 2021 with hopes of recreational sales by 2024. Individuals 21 years old and older can possess up to one ounce in public and may grow no more than four plants in their residence. However, cannabis consumption is illegal in public and while driving, according to the CCA.

A legal recreational marketplace has yet to be established, despite 60% of Virginia voters supporting recreational marijuana sales, according to Christopher Newport University poll.

“It’s entirely possible that the outcome of the November election will influence the direction of cannabis policy in Virginia,” Pedini said. “Retail sales for adult use have yet to be enacted, directly because of the Youngkin administration’s opposition in doing so.”

Former Gov. Ralph Northam and the Democrat-led legislator pushed for decriminalization and recreational sales. Youngkin has vowed for tighter regulation on Virginia’s hemp industry, according to Richmond Times Dispatch .

Joseph Guthrie, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services told the Daily Progress that Youngkin was not interested in legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

The research pair hopes the first prototype is completed by 2025.