A new device that can detect cannabis in a person’s breath is arriving in Quebec

A new device that can detect cannabis in a person’s breath is arriving in Quebec

A new cannabis‑detection device that analyzes breath samples is now available in Quebec. The test, called the Cannabix Marijuana Breath Test, works similarly to a breathalyzer but is designed to detect THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

This test can identify consumption that occurred within the previous few hours—up to about four hours—a period considered critical when it comes to impairment. Unlike urine or blood tests, which can detect much older use, this device focuses specifically on recent consumption.

According to Alco Prevention Canada, the tool responds to a need expressed since cannabis legalization, particularly in workplaces and safety‑sensitive environments. Many employers have been seeking a more reliable way to assess recent use rather than simply detecting past consumption.

The test works by collecting a breath sample through a mouthpiece, but results are not immediate; they are typically available within 24 to 48 hours. The system includes two separate analyses to reduce the risk of error.

The product is already in use in some Canadian provinces and is attracting interest from community organizations and businesses, although its adoption by police forces in Quebec is still in the early stages.