The Weyburn Police Service have reported three instances of drivers licenses being suspended last week. A breath test revealed alcohol consumption for one driver who was given a three-day license suspension with their vehicle impounded for three days.

Two drivers were found to be under the influence of cannabis. A Standard Field Sobriety test was conducted on one of the drivers, which resulted in a 60-day licence suspension and their vehicle impounded for three days. The other driver was suspected of being under the influence of a drug on Sunday. A Drug Recognition Expert Test led to a charge of possession of cannabis and had his license suspended and vehicle impounded.

Deputy Chief Rod Stafford explained the difference between the two tests. He said the Standard Field Sobriety Test looks like walking a straight line and following a penlight.

"It does involve some vision tests and vision/motor skills to determine whether they are impaired or not. And then from that, if they are impaired to a significant degree based on the training and experience of the officer administering the test, they can move into a demand for a drug recognition test."

The Drug Recognition Expert Test involves testing blood pressure, pupil size and body temperature. 

"It's a bit more medical in nature and scientific but it all starts with that stop, and there are different levels of training and different levels of things to look for." 

The training for officers to do the Drug Recognition Expert Test is done in Jacksonville, Florida. The training is primarily paid for by SGI.

Stafford said the policing community is concerned that with the legalization of cannabis there may not be enough officers trained correctly and need time to make this happen, as well as the technology.

"So when we make those traffic stops we can do that enforcement and be more effective at it."

Stafford added they will likely see more officers trained in both the standard field sobriety testing and the drug recognition testing. There are two officers in Weyburn currently trained in the Standard Field Sobriety Test and only one currently tested in the Drug Recognition Expert Test (DREG). A second Weyburn officer is about to start DREG testing in April.

Fines for cannabis influenced driving is no different to driving under the influence of alcohol. Vehicles can be impounded, fines levied and licenses can be suspended under the criminal code, but SGI can also add additional consequences outside of the criminal code.

The Weyburn Police Service continues their 'This Ride's On Us Program' in Weyburn, giving a safe option for drivers to get a free ride home.