Breath technology stocks have had an amazing run the last few days. Cannabix Technologies, Inc. “BLOZF” closed at $1.48 +0.21 (+16.54%) on over 4 million shares today. It had an inter-day high of $1.90 which was more than a 300% gain from Friday’s open of $0.62. Breathtec Biomedical, Inc. “BTHCF” followed suit closing at $0.152 +0.048 (+46.15%) on over 1.9 million shares today. It had an inter-day high of $0.17 which was a 284% gain from Friday’s $0.06 opening price. Here is what we know:
A article released Thursday, November 9th spoke of $BLOZF’s recent patent filing for a cannabis ignition interlock device, as well as its continued progress in developing a roadside cannabis breathalyzer. The funny thing is $BTHCF aims to advance its breath analysis technology for the early screening of life-threatening diseases, but nothing in regards to cannabis/marijuana. Its almost as if an investor group with influence said, “HEY, here is another breath tech stock, it should go up too!” and it did. At the request of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, Breathtec has confirmed that its management is unaware of any material change in the operations of the Company that would account for the recent market activity. The Company will continue to provide updates of any material changes if and when they occur. Their last press release was in regards to the resignation of the CEO, nothing to be excited about, especially since they have yet to replace him.
BLOZF tech makes common sense
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal everywhere, but consumers aren’t concerned given their personal beliefs and the lack of enforcement. At the same time, law enforcement has struggled to cope with growing marijuana usage given the lack of a non-invasive roadside breathalyzer capable of determining impairment. The good news is that researchers are getting close to developing an effective solution that will improve enforcement.
Dangerous Opinions
Over 90 percent of cannabis consumers surveyed last year were aware that you could receive a DUI for driving after using recreational marijuana. But that hasn’t stopped them driving under the influence on an increasingly regular basis, despite mounting evidence that marijuana affects reaction times, motor skills, and affects the general perception of speed, time, and distance. This could make it just as dangerous as alcohol when driving under the influence.
A Colorado Department of Transportation survey found that 56 percent of cannabis consumers drove within two hours of consuming marijuana and an equal percentage believed that they could safely drive under the influence of the drug. While this percentage has been steady over the years, consumers driving 11 days or more in a month within hours of consumption has increased sharply from 10 percent in 2014 to 21 percent by 2016.
More than three-quarters of marijuana consumers find it unlikely that they will be pulled over by law enforcement for being over the legal limit. Cannabis consumers are also aware that law enforcement does not have any tools to gather court admissible evidence of marijuana impairment at roadside, which is a prerequisite to a DUI conviction. While public awareness campaigns are on the rise, there is little evidence that people are heeding the advice and waiting to drive.
Unique Challenges
There are many challenges with detecting marijuana impairment that have made it challenging to develop a roadside marijuana breathalyzer.
The first problem facing researchers is the fact that alcohol dissolves in water and spreads evenly throughout the body whereas THC dissolves in locally-stored fat. Alcohol breathalyzers can easily sample alcohol levels in water particles found in a breath sample, which reliably translates to the level of alcohol in the brain. THC is absorbed in fat — namely the brain – and leaks out very slowly over time back into the bloodstream.
The second problem is that marijuana affects different people in different ways. A regular user builds up so much THC in their body fat that it could be present in the blood for weeks after they’ve last consumed marijuana. This means that a blood test may find high levels of THC present even if they aren’t currently experiencing a ‘high’. In chronic cases, they may be cognitively impaired for up to a month after last consuming the drug.
Governments have responded by setting THC limits that are enforced across the board. For example, Colorado law specifies that drivers with five nanograms of active THC in their whole blood can be prosecuted for a DUI. This opens the door to researchers working on marijuana breathalyzers that can detect and eventually quantify THC in a person’s system at roadside.
Innovative Solutions
Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTCQB: BLOZF) is a technology company, developing a cannabis breathalyzer for law enforcement and the workplace. In a November update, Cannabix filed several patent applications related to a marijuana-focused ignition interlock device (IID) and the company also indicated that its Beta 3.0 device is 95 percent complete and it plans on testing the device shortly. Cannabix is working with advanced “FAIMS” based technology that enables its breathalyzer to isolate THC and THC-related metabolites in breath samples.
“Cannabix Technologies continues to receive considerable interest from government and law enforcement for the development of its point of care Cannabix Marijuana Breathalyzer,” said Cannabix Technologies CEO Rav Mlait. “Our team of scientists in Vancouver and Florida are working methodically and rapidly to develop this device for the public.”
The THC focused ignition interlock device would require a driver to blow into an installed device confirming that the driver is not impaired before the vehicle will start. Many countries are requiring an IID as a condition for drivers convicted of DUI — especially repeat offenders — which could open up a tremendous market for the company over time.
Looking Ahead
Marijuana consumers have dangerous opinions when it comes to driving high, which is becoming an increasing problem as recreational use is legalized. Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTCQB: BLOZF) is developing a marijuana breathalyzer device that could address these problems with a roadside breath test.
At the same time, the company recently filed a patent application for an ignition interlock device. The THC sensing ignition interlock would target the court mandated market whereby drivers convicted of multiple DUI offences are required to install an ignition interlock system. The THC ignition interlock system could also be marketed to parents of new drivers to help guard against young drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. These two markets offer a lucrative business opportunity in the marijuana industry.
For more information, visit the company’s website at Cannabix Technologies Inc.
About Cannabix “BLOZF”
Cannabix Technologies Inc. is a leader in marijuana breathalyzer development for law enforcement and the workplace. Cannabix is actively developing breath testing technologies in the pursuit of bringing durable, portable tools to market to enhance detection of marijuana impaired driving offences on roads at a time when marijuana is becoming legal in many jurisdictions globally. Cannabix is working to develop drug-testing devices that will detect Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC- the psychoactive component of marijuana that causes intoxication) using breath samples. These devices would be used to provide detection of THC at roadside and identify drivers under the influence of marijuana. In particular, Cannabix is focused on developing breath testing devices for THC detection that would target recent use of THC, (within a two hour time period at time of testing) in contrast to saliva or urine testing for THC which can be invasive and take a considerable amount of time for laboratory analysis. The devices will also be useful for other practical applications such as testing employees in the workplace where intoxication by THC can be hazardous.
The Need for a Solution
- Medical and recreational marijuana use is becoming legal across various jurisdictions in North America and globally. This is presenting a significant challenge to law enforcement to keep our roads safe from drugged drivers.
- Current marijuana enforcement relies on an officer’s “opinion” as to the impairment by marijuana – there is a need for a scientific approach that can accurately determine levels present in a non-invasive way.
Technology
Cannabix Technologies is working with the Yost Research Group at the University of Florida to develop a cutting edge breath detection device based upon high-field ion mobility and mass spectrometry. In particular, Cannabix has an exclusive worldwide license of University of Florida US Patent 8,237,118 in the area of breath analysis of controlled substances.
The Cannabix device would be used to help establish recent use/impairment at roadside. The Yost Research Group is a world leader and pioneer in the development of high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, known as FAIMS. Cannabix and The Yost Research Group are working together to identify THC in ultra low ranges using highly sensitive FAIMS-mass spectrometer systems (FAIMS-MS). Please see our news release section for the latest updates on our technology development.
Disclosure: NO position or compensation.
