Marijuana Breath Analyzer Enforcement of drugged driving laws has attracted significant attention due to increase in drug- related incidents and the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in some states. Studies have shown that marijuana use can impair a driver's judgment. Next to alcohol, marijuana is the second most frequently found substance in the bodies of drivers involved in fatal automobile accidents. Currently, there is no commercially available field device that allows for detection of marijuana. The overall goal of this program is the development of the Giner DrugSens? monitor to enable real-time marijuana measurement in the breath at the point-of-collection. DrugSens? monitor would be the most convenient and the least invasive way for marijuana detection in breath matrix and better coincide with impairment. Authorities will obtain breath samples noninvasively as they do in alcohol testing and receive the results on the spot. This field device for enforcement will deter drivers from driving under the influence of marijuana and thereby reduce the associated increase in traffic accidents protecting both individual and public safety. The monitor can also be used in substance abuse research, medical screening and employment testing. The Phase I will demonstrate feasibility of the proposed measurement and monitor followed by fabricating an advanced prototype in Phase II for validation in clinical and field testing.

Public Health Relevance

The Giner marijuana breath analyzer provides rapid, accurate, and non-invasive determination of recent marijuana use to assess drugged driving. This field device for enforcement will deter drivers from driving under the influence of marijuana and thereby reduce the associated increase in traffic accidents protecting both individual and public safety. In the long-term, the implementation of a marijuana analyzer as a standard drug test will help prevent accidents due to drug use and provide a sound basis for the use of this analyzer in other areas such as substance abuse research, medical screening and employment testing.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43DA041225-01A1
Application #
9264263
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IMST-F (12)B)
Program Officer
Bough, Kristopher J
Project Start
2016-09-15
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2016-09-15
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$226,309
Indirect Cost
Name
Giner, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
066594979
City
Newton
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02466