In May, officers from the Hawaii Police Department took part in the first training of its kind in the state — the Cannabis Impaired Driving Green Lab that trains officers to detect and address cannabis-impaired drivers.
In recent years, Green Labs has been used by police departments nationwide, according to a news release.
Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit Sgt. Thomas Koyanagi spearheaded the three-day training in which 25 officers conducted standardized field sobriety tests on volunteer medicinal cannabis patients. Volunteers were licensed medical cannabis patients who could legally consume their cannabis product in verified doses off site. Officers transported volunteers during the training.
Through tests, officers could observe cannabis effects on the volunteers’ cognitive functions, coordination and motor skills and their perception of time and space. Testing showed how consumption correlated with impairment.
Road safety remains a top priority for statewide law enforcement agencies as cannabis usage continues to play a role in impaired driving. Last year, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic crashes 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 Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Services Section Program Manager Torey Keltner in the release.
Koyanagi stressed the importance of the program to keep roadways safe. “It’s crucial for law enforcement to be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to address cannabis-impaired driving effectively. The Green Lab plays a vital role in enhancing our ability to keep our island communities safe,” he said.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.
