# Marijuana Breath Analyzer

> **NIH NIH R44** · GINER, INC. · 2020 · $1,054,136

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Marijuana Breath Analyzer
The overall goal of this program is a THC breath analyzer that will provide rapid, accurate, and
non-invasive determination of recent marijuana use at point-of-collection testing (POCT).
Authorities will obtain breath samples noninvasively as they currently do in alcohol testing and
receive the results on the spot. This field device for enforcement will deter drivers from driving
under the influence of marijuana and thereby reduce the associated increase in traffic accidents
protecting both individual and public safety. The monitor can also be used in substance abuse
research, medical screening and employment testing.
In Phase I Giner successfully established a methodology for THC measurement with excellent
reproducibility and accuracy for measuring THC in spiked solutions. THC was also successfully
measured in breath samples from cannabis smokers. All subject breath samples containing THC
(from smoking 3% and 7% cigarettes) have shown detectable THC and none of the placebos
(0%) showed any net signal. Phase II will include continued measurement algorithm optimization,
design and fabrication of a prototype to perform extensive breath testing from human subjects to
calibrate and validate the sensor against gold standard lab method with regards to stability,
reliability, and reproducibility. The Phase II program will recruit a larger number of human subjects
(n=65), obtaining samples at several points in time for high resolution monitoring of THC in breath,
that will also correlate breath THC levels with impairment to guide the breath analyzer’s use in
roadside and clinical applications.
Giner’s THC breath test device will fill the urgent unmet need and be the alternative to the current
expensive and time-consuming analytical techniques which have a turn-around time of several
days. It will be suitable for use in: 1) onsite tests relating to DUI; 2) workplace, military and patient
screening; 3) criminal justice applications; 4) drug abuse treatment programs; and 5) clinical
research. The existence of a court-admissible field test will deter drivers from driving under the
influence of marijuana protecting both individual and public health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9852598
- **Project number:** 5R44DA041225-03
- **Recipient organization:** GINER, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Eftim Milkani
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,054,136
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9852598

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9852598, Marijuana Breath Analyzer (5R44DA041225-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9852598. Licensed CC0.

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