By Charles Lefebvre

Police Service preparing for cannabis legalization

Aug 28, 2018 | 5:15 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Police Service continues to prepare for the incoming legalization of cannabis.

On Monday, the federal government announced it approved the Drager DrugTest 5000 to be used by law enforcement to test for THC during roadside stops.

Police Chief Andy McGrogan says the service will be purchasing two of the testers for the service to use, at a cost of approximately $5,000 each, with test strips costs $40 each.

“One of the things we’ve been told is the strip needs to be held by the subject in their mouth for one to four minutes, and then it takes eight minutes to get a result,” he said. “It’s significantly more than say a roadside alcohol screening device, which is maybe two minutes at most.”

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He adds. “There’s more time, more steps, more procedures, and then of course more court challenges. It’s going to be an interesting journey.”

However, with legalization set to take place on October 17th, McGrogan says the biggest challenge is getting officers certified as drug recognition experts.

“It’s very difficult to get spots on that right now, on the courses, because they’re in such high demand,” he said. “So that’s another area that we’re playing catch up on and the costs associated with that as well. So we’re moving forward. We’re trying to flex and bend as the government legislation changes, and hopefully, we’re going to be as ready as we can be for October the 17th.”

Currently, only one officer is certified. McGrogan says the police service eventually would like to have 16 officers certified, which is the current number they have who can perform roadside screening for alcohol impairment.