Lancaster Police Department is part of the $35 million grant funding.

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today announced more than

$35 million in grant funding to 148 California law enforcement agencies, crime

laboratories, local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to help address

the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“As the legal cannabis market continues to grow, so do the state’s efforts to ensure

Californians are recreating responsibly. By supporting the organizations that enforce

and amplify our laws on the ground, we can keep everyone safer,” said Governor

Gavin Newsom.

The grants from Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana

Act, assigned the CHP the responsibility of administering grants for education,

prevention and enforcement programs aimed at helping communities tackle impaired

driving. Additionally, funds are available for crime laboratories that conduct forensic

toxicology testing. The funding for these grants comes from a tax on the sale of

cannabis and cannabis products in California.

“This funding represents a major step forward in our ongoing mission to save lives

and prevent impaired driving,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “With over

$35 million going to nearly 150 public safety partners across the state, we’re

expanding our reach like never before. These resources will help those on the

frontlines keep California’s roads safer for everyone.”

These funds will go towards a variety of activities. One hundred twenty-six recipients

of law enforcement grants will use the funding to combat impaired driving in theIr

communities. The funds will also support drug recognition evaluator training to improve the identification of drug-impaired drivers, as well as public outreach campaigns, including educational presentations and community events.

Eleven recipients of education grants will use the funds to inform local communities about impaired driving laws while highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Seven recipients of two-year toxicology crime laboratory grants will use the funds to eliminate backlogs in analyzing forensic science evidence and to purchase or upgrade