The world's first marijuana and alcohol breathalyzer created Hound Labs Inc. Science and technology-focused investment firm Intrinsic Capital Partners led the $30 million investment to kick start the manufacturing of this groundbreaking product. Additional investors such as Icon Ventures and Benchmark, Main Street Advisors, and NFP Ventures.

Howard Goodwin, a partner at Intrinsic Capital Partners states, "Legalization of marijuana is disrupting multiple facets of society and creating a unique need for a technology that helps employers and law enforcement agencies detect recent marijuana use (within two to three hours of smoking), but doesn't penalize people who legally and responsibly use marijuana."

During Hound Labs' second clinical trial, they were able to validate that breath is a viable methodology of testing for recent marijuana use. These second clinical trial results are parallel to recent case studies released by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), confirming that breath is a viable way to detect cannabis use within a few hours of use. By setting such testing parameters, it protects those using cannabis legally and responsibly.

As cannabis legalization spreads across the US, lawmakers and employers are finding it quite hard to distinguish new use that could cause impairment while working or operating a vehicle versus the use of cannabis legally and responsibly. Those currently engaging in cannabis the night before work or operating their vehicles under the current testing practices are subject to losing their jobs or being arrested for DWI.

Photo: Houndlabs