Canadian Armed Forces Order VR Headsets to Simulate Marijuana Intoxication
The Canadian Armed Forces have placed an order with the government for virtual reality (VR) headsets designed to simulate marijuana intoxication. The goal is to provide soldiers and officers with a “safe” way to experience the effects of marijuana, a substance they are not legally allowed to use due to their service.
Simulating Intoxication
According to media reports, the request for VR headsets simulating marijuana intoxication appeared late last week on a website outlining the Canadian military’s procurement plans for the current year. The Canadian Forces Health Services Directorate, part of the military’s support structure, has requested 26 pairs of VR headsets equipped with software to simulate the effects of marijuana use. These devices will be used to educate military personnel about marijuana intoxication and to promote a healthy lifestyle among soldiers, according to the official statement on the military’s website.
Military officials explained that VR headsets were chosen because they can provide soldiers with a vivid illustration of the negative effects associated with marijuana use, without requiring them to actually consume the substance.
What Are the “Negative Effects”?
It’s somewhat unclear what the military means by the “negative effects” of marijuana use. It seems unlikely that a virtual simulation could accurately reproduce marijuana-induced paranoia or trigger a sudden case of the munchies. Most likely, the simulation will focus on slowed reaction times and loss of coordination, which are commonly associated with marijuana consumption.
According to the procurement website, the military is expected to receive the first batch of VR headsets with marijuana simulation capabilities by April 30.
Legalization and Broader Training
If the government does not side with the conservative opposition’s call to delay marijuana reform until the end of the year, legalization is expected to come to Canada by early July. In any case, authorities will still need to educate law enforcement officers and healthcare professionals about the effects of marijuana intoxication.
The unusual military order is valued at $170,000, which is considered a reasonable price for purchasing similar headsets to train members of other organizations and professions who will not be allowed to use legal marijuana due to their positions.
Detecting Marijuana Intoxication on the Road
In addition, federal and regional officials are searching for technologies that will allow police to effectively detect marijuana intoxication among drivers on Canadian roads. Although several models of such detectors have appeared on the open market in recent years, they are not as accurate as their developers promised. For this reason, authorities in some provinces have already decided to adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy for drivers, proposing to revoke the license of any driver found with even trace amounts of marijuana in their system.