Researchers at the University of Regina are looking to develop a cannabis-testing device that can determine real impairment whether that be from inhaling cannabis smoke or through oral consumption.

Doctors Nicole Hansmeier and Tzu Chao are leading the project.

Both doctors say that THC, the main psychoactive in cannabis, isn’t the most ideal way of indicating whether or not someone is impaired given that it can reside in the body for longer than its biological effects.

Their new research will improve the ability to assess cannabis-related impairment by identifying biomarkers that indicate active impairment and how they became impaired.

At the moment, a total of nine people are working on the project, however Hansmeier says they hope to include more people as the research goes by bringing in psychologists.

Both doctors say the research will lay the foundation for the development for such a cannabis testing device and in the long run, the machine will help improve safety.

The project is one of the first grants given out to researchers through a partnership between the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and The Lung Association, Saskatchewan for respiratory health research over the next five years.