Ottawa’s approval of roadside pot test doesn’t mean police will use it

VANCOUVER — Some Canadian police forces are hesitant to use a federally approved roadside marijuana test, raising questions about the Liberal government’s decision to give the devices the green light.

Vancouver’s police department is among those that won’t use the Drager Drug Test 5000 when pot is legalized because it says the device doesn’t work in sub-zero temperatures, is bulky and takes too long to produce a sample.

“We’re just not comfortable moving forward with this machine and we’re looking at other options,” said Sgt. Jason Robillard.

Police in Delta, B.C., say their officers won’t use the device this year but the department hasn’t made a decision about 2019, while Edmonton police and B.C.’s provincial RCMP say no decisions have been made yet.

National RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Marie Damian said the force will have a limited rollout of the device in consultation with provincial and municipal partners. Standardized field sobriety tests and drug recognition experts will continue to be the primary enforcement tools, she said.

The RCMP has taken the lead on training Canadian police officers on the devices and has ordered 20 units for that purpose.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould defended the approval of the device in the Senate on Tuesday. The Canadian Society of Forensic Science examined the machine and the public had an opportunity to give feedback, she said.

“It is not the only tool that law enforcement officers have. It’s an additional tool,” she said.