As modern cannabis becomes increasingly legal and widely used across the country, law enforcement officers must be equipped to detect and articulate cannabis-related impairment—especially in drivers.
Modern cannabis products come in an increasing variety of consumable forms including edibles, flower, and concentrates. These products contain much greater levels of THC (and THC-related compounds), which can cause significantly greater impairing symptoms in many people compared to the cannabis of even a decade ago.
This training is designed to help attendees recognize the various cannabis and cannabis related products that are currently being used and to understand the signs of cannabis impairment in motor vehicle operators regardless of the form of cannabis – or cannabis product – used.
The training is conducted in two phases. The first phase is in the classroom where officers will be exposed to the latest information on cannabis, cannabis products, cannabis-related products, and cannabis use trends. Additionally, attendees will be provided with a suggested cannabis impairment investigation protocol that provides cannabis impairment sensitive field sobriety tests. The second phase is a hands on-assessment where attendees will have an opportunity to conduct evaluations using the learned protocol.
Training Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:
- Cannabis Overview
- Forms of cannabis (edibles, flower, concentrates)
- Legal status and legislative history
- Enhanced Detection Techniques
- Recommended “enhanced” SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Test) protocol for roadside detection
- Field sobriety exercises tailored to cannabis impairment
- Behavioral indicators of cannabis impairment
- Investigation Best Practices
- Documentation strategies
- Chemical testing considerations in drug-impaired driving cases
- Building a strong court case for cannabis-impaired driving
- Relevant case law updates
Hands-On Green Lab Experience: In compliance with state marijuana possession laws, this training includes a controlled “Green Lab” session. Officers will observe and evaluate volunteers who have consumed known quantities of cannabis and alcohol. This hands-on experience allows participants to:
- Practice detection techniques in a real-world setting
- Assess the reliability of their impairment recognition skills
Note:
- Civilian instructors conduct the lab.
- Attendees will not be exposed to cannabis or any other substances during the training.
Ready to Enhance Your Cannabis Impairment Detection Skills? Secure your spot today—spaces are limited!
Observer-Only Option
A limited number of observer-only seats are available. Observers may attend the morning training session, watch SFSTs being performed, and hear the conclusions drawn by active participants. Observer Fee: $300 (not covered by OCP)
