Yukon gov't preparing for marijuana legalization despite questions over roadside tests

With or without THC roadside testing devices, the Yukon government says it's preparing to catch high drivers.

Canadian provinces and territories are currentlynegotiatingwith the federal government to get roadside cannabis testing devices, but it's not yet clear what Yukon willget.

As well, the timeline for when they will start to be used in the territory is unclear.The devices are used to detect THC, the primary psychoactive found in marijuana.

Al Lucier, Yukon'sassistant deputy minister of justice, says the federal government is fundingthe devices and related training for RCMP officersover a period of five years.

"When we will see the devices here, I can't give you that date just yet," he said.

Devices 'nice to have'

Staff Sgt. Jane Boissonneaultwith the Yukon RCMP says the devices would be "nice-to-have," but aren't essential for catching impaired drivers.

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"For the mostparttherewon'tbe any change," saidBoissonneault."Right now it'sillegalto drive while impaired by alcohol or a drug,andit will remain so once cannabis is legal."

For now, police in Yukon will continue to perform the StandardizedField Sobriety Test, a series of tests on cognitive and motor skillsdesigned to flag any impairment, not just from cannabis use.

People who fail the sobriety test are taken to a police station where they are subject to further testing. That may include pupil, blood pressure, temperature and urine tests, as well as an interview.

Refusing testing amounts to a criminaloffence the same as refusing a breathalyzertest if one is suspected of alcohol impairment.

Drug recognition experts

Boissonneault says officers will continue to crack down onillegalmarijuana sales, though it will be hard to prove if marijuana was obtainedillegally,given that people can grow it at home.

She says police will be enforcing rules about containers in vehicles, as well as the maximum amounts people are allowed to carry.

"It's like liquor, it has to be sealed and away from any occupants of the vehicle."

Yukon police will be sending more officers for training in B.C.to certified instandardized field sobriety testing.Boissonneaultdid not say if there would be an increase in road patrols to coincide with legalization.

Nationwide cannabis legalization happens Oct. 17.