Marijuana Breathalyzer Technology.

Sates legalize, sell and tax pot. Then states get more revenue from arresting you for driving under the influence. See how it works?

Marijuana Moment: Federal Agency Will Host ‘Open And Candid Discussion’ On Marijuana Breathalyzer Technology.

A federal agency this spring will convene government officials, forensics experts, academics, industry representatives, law enforcement and standards organizations for what it describes as “an open and candid discussion” about “the path forward to realize meaningful cannabis breathalyzer technology and implementation.”

The two-day event, hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is scheduled to be held in Boulder, Colorado, on April 16 and 17.

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Unlike with alcohol, there’s currently no widely accepted field test to determine whether someone is under the influence of marijuana.

In 2023, a federally funded report by researchers at NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder concluded that evidence does “not support the idea that detecting THC in breath as a single measurement could reliably indicate recent cannabis use.”

“A lot more research is needed to show that a cannabis breathalyzer can produce useful results,” Kavita Jeerage, a NIST materials research engineer and co-author of the report, said at the time. “A breathalyzer test can have a huge impact on a person’s life, so people should have confidence that the results are accurate.”

More recently, a U.S. Department of Justice researcher cast doubt on whether a person’s THC levels are even a reliable indicator of impairment.

States may need to “get away from that idea,” Frances Scott, a physical scientist at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences under DOJ, said on a podcast early last year.

Scott questioned the efficacy of setting “per se” THC limits for driving that some states have enacted, making it so a person can be charged with driving while impaired based on the concentration of cannabis components in their system. Ultimately, there may not be a way to assess impairment from THC like we do for alcohol, she said.

One complication is that “if you have chronic users versus infrequent users, they have very different concentrations correlated to different effects,” Scott said. “So the same effect level, if you will, will be correlated with a very different concentration of THC in the blood of a chronic user versus an infrequent user.”

That issue was also examined in a federally funded study last year that identified two different methods of more accurately testing for recent THC use that accounts for the fact that metabolites of the cannabinoid can stay present in a person’s system for weeks or months after consumption.

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“The consensus is that there is no linear relationship of blood THC to driving,” [a study preprint posted on The Lancet by an eight-author team representing Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Health Canada and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia identified and assessed a dozen peer-reviewed studies concluded]. “This is surprising given that blood THC is used to detect cannabis-impaired driving.”

Most states where cannabis is legal measure THC intoxication by whether or not someone’s blood THC levels are below a certain cutoff. The study’s findings suggest that relying on blood levels alone may not accurately reflect whether someone’s driving is impaired.

“Of the 12 papers included in the present review,” authors wrote, “ten found no correlation between blood THC and any measure of driving, including [standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP)], speed, car following, reaction time, or overall driving performance.
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Evan [sic] as far back as 2015, a U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that it’s “difficult to establish a relationship between a person’s THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects,” adding that “it is inadvisable to try and predict effects based on blood THC concentrations alone.”

In a separate report last year, NHTSA said there’s “relatively little research” backing the idea that THC concentration in the blood can be used to determine impairment, again calling into question laws in several states that set “per se” limits for cannabinoid metabolites.

Under the wire!

There's still time. Happy 4/20!

Happy 4/20 Day!

Happy 4/20!

World News

SMH: The cough syrup codeine addiction.

Patients hooked on cough syrup and dependent on painkillers are turning up to GP clinics suffering from opioid withdrawals one year after the over-to-counter codeine ban was enforced.
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...some have likely stockpiled the products before the over-the-counter ban was enforced.

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NZ Herald: Emiliano Sala body identified.

An inquest into the tragic death of Emiliano Sala has revealed the football star died from "head and trunk" injuries when the plane he was travelling on crashed into the ocean.

Sala's body was recovered from the seabed wreckage last week after he disappeared on January 22.
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[He] was identified by his fingerprints.

Daily Mail: Full investigation into crashed flight may take one year.

Such a tragic ending for someone just starting life and doing what he loved.
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The Chosunilbo: North Korea's Kimmy Junior's Mercedes.

"Close-up pictures of the [car suggests] Kim may have opted for the exclusive and heavily-armored 'Guard' model," the website added.

And AM radio.

Kimmy Junior's Mercedes

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BBC: Russia to unplug from the internet?

Russia is considering whether to disconnect from the global internet briefly, as part of a test of its cyber-defences.

The test will mean data passing between Russian citizens and organisations stays inside the nation rather than being routed internationally.
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The test is expected to happen before 1 April[.]

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CGTN: Ultima Thule is flat, like a pancake. Previously likened to resembling a snowman...

...an object nicknamed "Ultima Thule" in the Kuiper Belt, to be flat rather than spherical, according to the latest images sent back to Earth.
[.]
Previously scientists called Ultima Thule "snowman" as the first close-up images revealed its two distinct and spherical segments.

 Uma Thurman  Ultima Thule

Clarksville Online: More on Uma Thurman Ultima Thule.
- - -
KMSP Fox 9: You're stuck in Cancun because of a flight delay...heading back to Minnesota.

And the conditions in Cancun are unpleasant; acknowledged. Still, you're in Cancun...heading back to...Minnesota. I'm not sure I see a problem here...
- - -
9 News: Ukraine's An-225, biggest aircraft sits unfinished.

Towering over everything is the massive fuselage of the unfinished An-225. It's a beast of a thing. If ever completed, it will have a length of 84 metres - a whole nine metres longer than the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380 superjumbo.

 The An-225, aka Mriya, (Ukranian for dream) has the capacity

 to carry other aircrafts inside or on top of it as it flies. Image: AAP

- - -
The Telegraph: Six out of ten Yellow Vests believe Princess Diana was murdered.

The poll also reveals that almost a quarter of “gilets jaunes” are convinced that a terror attack on a Christmas market in Strasbourg was a diversionary tact by the government to spoil their latest round of protests.

Breitbart: 150 Yellow Vests have their phones tapped, says French Media.

Le Point claims that intelligence services are tracking 50 activists in Paris and 100 in the rest of the country[.]
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The claim of government spying also follows an increased level of violence by police toward protestors[sic][.]

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NZ Herald: Inside a L.A. legal weed shop.

"It's like an 'Apple store' for weed."

Quirky Adult-Themed City Names

BestPlaces: Quirky-named cities.

Weed is a slang term for marijuana and stoners everywhere enjoy posting pictures of the "Weed Next 3 Exits" sign off Interstate 5 in Northern California.

Hit the link, read the others. Nothing all that explicit. Just fun.

Patrick Kennedy In Desperate Attempt To Make His Life Relevent

Oh...this is Rich! This is so very, very rich. Creamy chocolate, nougat infused, caramel covered with both whipping and ice cream on top Rich! Cherry optional.

The title says it all.  Patrick Kennedy trying to make his life relevant by preaching an Anti-Marijuana agenda.

Talk. About. Hypocrisy. And Double Standards.

Patrick is the son of famous chauffeur, swimmer and Senator, the deceased Ted Kennedy, Democrat, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

Is there any drug that, during his life to date, Patrick Kennedy didn't drink, inhale, snort or other?

From USA MacPaper:

Patrick Kennedy is a former congressman and an honorary board member of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (Project SAM).

Oh..."SAM", you gotta love the acronym; those clever, anti-marijuanaists.

Of course, the SAM Agenda is, as Patrick Kennedy so dutifully writes, "FOR THE CHILDREN."

Written by Patrick Kennedy, and again, USA MacPaper:

"There has been a lot of talk about pot lately.
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But one issue got completely lost: the developing brains of our children.

It's about time we start focusing on the rights of our kids, not pot smokers.
[.]

As states rush unwisely to legalize marijuana, will this [present] the commercialization of a new, legal drug that threatens healthy brain development and the mental health of our children.
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Already, candies, cookies, and lollipops high in THC adorn legal marijuana stores in Colorado and Washington."

Ahh, THE CHILDREN...the last card - that of vestige - played by any Liberal.

First of all, it is not Patrick Kennedy's decision whether states "rush unwisely to legalize marijuana," - that is his subjective opinion. He may speak his opinion as any other private citizen but he has no legal authority to do anything about it. Beyond that, we've seen a degree of leniency from both the past Obama Admin and the current Trump Admin in having a hands-off approach with states that are doing their own thing with MJ, and, this is a good thing. This is a State issue and State issue only. As a country, we DO NOT need to make MJ into Roe vs Weed.

Second, it's LEGAL IN COLORADO AND WASHINGTON TO SELL MJ AS CANDY, COOKIES AND LOLLIPOPS.  Have you ever heard of States' Rights, Mister Kennedy, Mister former Congressman, Mister recovering (or otherwise) booze hound, pill popper and who knows what else Patrick Kennedy smoked, snorted or other.

Patrick, try to sell your anti-MJ Agenda to AIDS patients who use medicinal marijuana that will induce an appetite and, as in cancer patients, is found to keep nausea at bay. Sell your agenda to aging baby-boomers who light up every day and find MJ provides relief from physical  pain relief that we all feel as we get older, or who use it to medicate depression. Please update us on the prosperity in selling your agenda.

Patrick, would you prefer a 12 year old cancer patient puking their guts out from the chemo, or give them a medicinally approve lollipop that negates the puking and gives them an appetite?

Patrick Kennedy, Poster Boy for being Drug Free

It was 2006 when Patrick Kennedy crashed his car into a Capitol Hill barrier hopped up on Ambien . He tried to explain it that he thought he was needed to cast a vote in the House. At 2:45AM. Yeah...a vote.

Whether you partake in MJ or not, you'd have to be blind not to see the double standard, irony and absurdity of Patrick Kennedy involved with an anti-MJ agenda. Actually, Patrick Kennedy involved with any anti-drug organization is the pinnacle of comical hypocrisy and absurdity.  Kind of like if his boozer daddy Ted had made a public service announcement for Alcoholics Anonymous while he was alive.

In 2006, Patrick entered into one of many Rehabs.

Pew Research shows that  nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) say they favor their state allowing the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes if it is prescribed by a doctor, while 23% are opposed.

Here Patrick, read about how medicinal marijuana can save lives.

Numerous studies by legit colleges and institutions  show MJ as an alternative to addictive opioid pain relievers. (And EVERYONE is jumping on this falsely promoted idea that the U.S. has an "epidemic opioid problem." No - we don't. But that's another post).

Back to Patrick Kennedy, who apparently has a halo around his head now. He states in USA MacPaper:    "There is no reason to believe marijuana will pay for itself, either."

Typical Liberal Illogic, Patrick. Here, pick a story, any story:

One Year of Legal MJ generated $70 Million in Washington State.

From USA MacPaper:

If all 50 states legalized cannabis today, they’d be collectively raking in more than $3 billion a year in taxes.

I think the revenue would exceed $3 Billion a year.

This Study sees nationwide legalization of MJ bringing in $28 Billion annually.

CNBC: Legal pot sales in 2015 top $5.4 Billion:

"You won't find another industry growing at that kind of clip": ArcView Group CEO.

 Over 10,000 studies show benefits from cannabis: 

A comprehensive research review examining 10,000 studies has found conclusive evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids are beneficial for treating symptoms like chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, and spasticity.
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The nonprofit National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) summarized the past 16 years of research on the efficacy of medical marijuana in its report, “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.”
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The rigorous and weighty 395-page report is based on the findings of more than 10,700 studies published in peer-review journals since 1999.

Clearly, Patrick Kennedy, has not done his due diligence and knows nothing of which he speaks. You cannot even say that he's "misinformed."  He's so far off base what he writes is fictional.

And it speaks volumes that "Project SAM" has an agenda other than that of compassion and empathy for those who find medicinal and recreational use of MJ beneficial and pleasant.

Patrick Kennedy is desperately trying to make his life relevant. To whom, other than himself, I do not know.

Famous Drinker and sailing enthusiast Ted Kennedy.

4/23/2017, typos and grammar errors fixed to the best of my proofreading ability.