L.A. Sobriety Checkpoints Will Include Drug Tests

On-the-spot saliva test targeting marijuana users this New Year’s Eve

The LAPD is about to deploy a new tool at sobriety checkpoints: An on-the-spot saliva test for drug use. They are not shy about admitting that their main target is marijuana use. [Link to article: http://rt.com/usa/portable-drug-test-lapd-902/ ]

So many questions, so very many questions ~ What does this all mean for L.A.'s 100,000s of marijuana users - medical or otherwise? As a veteran from the Drug War trenches on the side of Reason & Sanity, my money is on Nothing Good.

If up to now you've been the kind of L.A. marijuana smoker - and there are many of you - who routinely get high before attempting to deal with LA traffic, you will now be pretty much screwed. Setting aside the question whether or not you SHOULD be driving high and without dragging out the studies that indicate stoned drivers are, in fact, the safest drivers, the LAPD clearly wants to put an end to Stoned Driving, and they are starting this week.

This is law enforcement's response to Prop 215. Plus, it's 2014 and only a fool would deny full national marijuana legalization is just around the corner. So the LAPD found a way to spoil it for you if you insist on driving while high, an L.A. Stoner Tradition.

It's interesting the same swab test also detects cocaine, meth and prescription drugs such as xanax. So... if you have a legit xanax or amphetamine rx and you take it as prescribed, you can now be busted for DUI? Yeah, the article doesn't say and I don't know, but I do know where this is headed: To the courts.

I hope the first drivers busted as a consequence of being subjected to this test can afford good lawyers.

Even though I would bet a non-trivial amount of cash that a test for marijuana will pass legal and scientific challenges and become as common as alcohol tests. I've always said full marijuana legalization may come at a price not everyone would be willing to pay. L.A. law enforcement is banking on it. I really hate it when it turns out I'm right about stuff like that.