A new handheld scanner can quickly and accurately distinguish between hemp and marijuana plants, potentially revolutionizing law enforcement and agricultural practices. Developed by researchers at the University of Missouri, the scanner uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of plant leaves. NIR spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that can be used to identify different types of plants and plant materials.

The scanner works by shining a beam of NIR light onto a plant leaf. The light is absorbed and reflected by the leaf, and the resulting spectrum is analyzed by the scanner. The scanner then compares the spectrum to a database of known spectra to identify the type of plant.

The scanner can accurately distinguish between hemp and marijuana plants within seconds. This is important because hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, but they have different legal status. Hemp is legal in most countries, while marijuana is illegal in many places.

The scanner has the potential to be a valuable tool for law enforcement and agricultural inspectors. It can help to quickly and accurately identify illegal marijuana plants, and it can also be used to ensure that hemp plants are not being grown illegally.

Here are some of the potential benefits of the new scanner:

* It can help to quickly and accurately identify illegal marijuana plants.

* It can be used to ensure that hemp plants are not being grown illegally.

* It is a non-destructive technique, so it does not damage the plants.

* It is portable and easy to use, so it can be used in the field.