Hawai‘i Island police participate in training to detect and address cannabis-impaired driving

According to Hawai‘i Island police, 40% of people involved in fatal traffic crashes on Hawai‘i Island had cannabis in their system in 2023 and marijuana usage continues to be a factor in impaired driving throughout the state.

To ensure road safety, the department participated in its first-ever Cannabis Impaired Driving “Green Lab” to help officers detect and address cannabis-impaired driving.

Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit Sgt. Thomas Koyanagi spearheaded the three-day training event in May when 25 officers conducted standardized field sobriety tests on volunteer medicinal cannabis patients. Each volunteer was a licensed medical cannabis patient and legally permitted to consume their own cannabis product in verified dosages off-site. Officers transported the volunteers during the training event.

“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,” Koyanagi said.

As officers conducted tests on the volunteers, police officials say they were able to observe the effects of cannabis consumption on the volunteers’ cognitive functions, coordination and motor skills and the altered perception of time and space. The testing showed correlating levels of consumption and impairment.

Green Labs have been used by police departments nationwide in recent years.

“The Green Lab represents a proactive initiative by the Hawai‘i Police Department to address cannabis-impaired driving and underscores the department’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all residents and visitors,” said Torey Keltner, Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section Program Manager.

Officer Jayme Derbyshire of the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland and Officer Jon Huber of the Seattle Police Department in Washington provided assistance and guidance in this project.

The Hawai‘i Police Department invites collaboration and support from the community, stakeholders and partners in advancing the mission of preventing cannabis-impaired driving and promoting road safety across Hawai’i.