Friday, October 16, 2026
30.0°F

Cannabis identified as most detected drug in Idaho forensic testing

CHLOE COCHRAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 21 hours, 49 minutes AGO
by CHLOE COCHRAN
| October 16, 2026 1:00 AM

Cannabis was the drug most commonly detected in samples submitted to Idaho State Police Forensic Services, followed by amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to the agency’s newly published fiscal year 2026 toxicology report. 

At least one drug was detected in 84% of the adult toxicology reports sampled, and 45% of sampled reports contained multiple drugs, according to the report. The findings come from alcohol and drug testing of blood and urine samples submitted in connection with DUI or other investigations. 

The findings do not reflect all DUI incidents or drug usage across the state of Idaho but rather are only related to samples that were submitted to ISP Forensic Services for testing.  

Officials received 3,381 toxicology cases in fiscal year 2026, down 1.1% from fiscal year 2025. 

Fifty-four juvenile toxicology cases were reported; 74% tested positive for at least one drug. Cannabinoids were the most frequently detected drug category in those cases. 

Among adults whose samples were tested for alcohol or other volatile substances, 82% had alcohol concentrations at or above 0.08%, according to the report. 

Alcohol testing involved 121 juvenile cases and 1,485 adult cases. Of those, 91 juvenile cases and 1,384 adult cases were DUI-related. 

Among juvenile alcohol cases, 74% had concentrations above the report’s 0.02% threshold for people under 21. Among DUI-related juvenile samples, 87% exceeded that threshold. One sample tested positive for fluorinated hydrocarbons, which are found in refrigerants, aerosol propellants and solvents.

Toxicology testing assists in investigations and court proceedings, helping to identify statewide trends. The report also describes ongoing improvements to investigative techniques and methods.  

Data was pulled from laboratories in Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello, and Meridian.

ARTICLES BY CHLOE COCHRAN

Cannabis identified as most detected drug in Idaho forensic testing
October 16, 2026 1 a.m.

Cannabis identified as most detected drug in Idaho forensic testing

Cannabis was the drug most commonly detected in samples submitted to Idaho State Police Forensic Services, followed by amphetamine and methamphetamine, according to the agency’s newly published fiscal year 2026 toxicology report.

Polygraph report sent to wrong county email address
October 14, 2026 2:52 p.m.

Polygraph report sent to wrong county email address

Bonner County commissioner candidate Jeff Roberts acknowledged Tuesday that the Bonner County Sheriff's Office never received a polygraph examination he previously said had been provided to investigators, attributing the issue to an email address typo made by his attorney.

Family brings years of pumpkin patch tradition to North Idaho
October 15, 2026 1 a.m.

Family brings years of pumpkin patch tradition to North Idaho

‘I love you a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck’

Twenty-five years ago, Ryan and Gina Cross met at a pumpkin patch, surrounded by the kind of fall scene that would later shape much of their lives together.