Michigan's Roadside Marijuana Testing: Examining Equity, Accuracy, and Its Effects on Black Drivers

Michigan lawmakers are advancing a bill that allows police to conduct roadside saliva tests to assess drug influence among drivers, including marijuana. While Rep. Brian BeGole promotes it as a reasonable suspicion tool, concerns arise regarding racial profiling and the reliability of such tests, particularly impacting Black communities already facing systemic issues.Utilizing the SoToxa mobile device, which delivers results in five minutes, the bill might deepen injustices. Furthermore, the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling against the smell of marijuana for probable cause underscores shifting legal perspectives, reinforcing skepticism toward potential misuse of these testing tools. Far-reaching implications for justice and equality loom large.