A pilot project starting this month will provide a clearer picture of impaired driving involving cannabis and other drugs with the goal of giving Minnesota law enforcement a new tool that could help save lives.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports drug recognition evaluators from law enforcement agencies statewide will receive training Friday on an oral fluid roadside testing instrument.
The SoToxa Oral Fluid Mobile Analyzer detects the presence of cannabis or other drugs in a driver. This is one of two instruments being evaluated this year for effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy in detecting drugs.
The second instrument is the Dräger - DrugTest 5000. Law enforcement will train using the Dräger at a later date, according to the state.
The roadside tests will be similar to preliminary breath tests law enforcement use to detect drunk driving. The pilot project is voluntary for drivers and results won’t be admissible in court.
The agency’s goal is to obtain legislative approval in 2025.
-
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerVoters elected at least 10 new Democratic senators, already the largest incoming class of elected first-time Democratic senators in 40 years, with results from Alaska and Mississippi still outstanding. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerKlobuchar will have 60 days before her January inauguration to staff her office, draft a two-year budget and turn her campaign talking points into legislation. -
Plus: Walz to open administration's final deer season in Grand Rapids. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEHermantown City Council incumbent Andy Hjelle lost the 2026 election to Emma Richtman and Candi Mock. Newcomers Kris Eilers and Timothy Mattson won in their districts for St. Louis County Board of Commissioners. -
Colleen Bakken, Jenny Frenzel and Carol L. Johnson were the top three candidates in the Bemidji School Board election on Nov. 3, 2026. -
Graphic/KAXEVoters across Clearwater County cast ballots for the next Clearwater County Sheriff and Auditor-Treasurer. -
Plus: Sheriff Bryan Welk reelected in Cass County; Itasca County commissioner districts flip in rematches; and constitutional amendment passes, but local school funding measures fail.
-
Graphic/KAXERepublican state Sen. Steve Green will return to St. Paul in January 2027 after beating out two challengers for his seat. -
Graphic/KAXERepublican state Rep. Ben Davis will return to St. Paul for a third term in January 2027. -
Hermantown data center moves forward after Council approvals; Candidates make last pitches across MNPlus: Northland high school athletes compete in soccer and cross-country state tourneys.
