How Do The Test Kits Work

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: Well, how do these test kits work?

Acacia Law Well, essentially what they do is,- let's say they have a baggy which has a white powdery crystalline,- a crystalline, or crystal type residue on it. Well, usually, the way these tests work is they come in a sealed pack, all they need is a swab or 'swipe' of some of the substance. They put it on this stick. They put the stick into this chemical product and it will turn a specific color. If it turns a particular color then they know that it's tested positive for one of the controlled substances listed in the Statutes;- and it's really that quick.

Now, obviously, most times, it's not that complicated, especially with marijuana. With any type of pot. More or less, these officers are trained, they know exactly what it is, they can pick up a pipe,- just smell it- and know that it's been used to smoke weed out of it. And that's as deep as they need to look into it. Now, what they'll do is,- is they'll take that pipe, submit it into the evidence bag, and the criminalist will test it later; but I can guarantee you that he's going to find Cannabis or THC substances in there and he's going to find traces of a controlled substance. So -

Interviewer: And the police; how well trained are they? I mean, I guess a lot of it is by experience, but how well trained are they to identify marijuana and even to know some of the names that it goes by? It also goes by chronic, or regs, or mersh, or you ever heard it called trees? You know; things like that. Are the police familiar with every aspect of an illegal drug, even weight?

Acacia Law Yes, pretty much. Pretty much, yes. Essentially, most of these officers have had specific training. Especially if they're on the regular beat- cops on patrol. You have to understand that during the course of even a couple of years, just a couple years of patrolling, they've seen, pretty much, every drug that's used in this country, much less the State of Arizona, whether it be Maricopa County, Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Pima County, Pinal County...It doesn't matter where you go in the State of Arizona. It's all the same. Ihey all know. Ihey've run into the substance before.

And so names such as you gave,- such as chronic and stuff,- they know exactly what you're talking about. They know the street lingo. They know the terms; and they know the substances. And it's a combination of things. Yes, some of them take specific classes and get trained so that they can utilize these 'street tests'- kits that they can do right on the spot. Others don't bother with it. Ihey know enough to know that it is an illegal substance of some sort. In fact, I've even had them put their finger, tap it, and touch it to their lip or tongue- and they can instantly tell you pretty much what it is; and they're usually pretty accurate. But, yes, they're really saavy; and the thing is that from their perspective, and from the perspective of the law, that's sufficient for them to at least have you arrested or charged...submit the substance for analysis, and simply get confirmation from the lab that it, in fact, is correct. And, quite frankly, if the officer makes a mistake, for example, and says,'I think this speed is cocaine," or, "I think this coke is methamphetamine."- And they're not correct, it doesn't make a difference anyway, it's still a controlled substance. All they do is amend the Complaint to reflect that substance and they're done.