| Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive | | | | Procedure and interpretation of the test: |
| substance found in the Cannabis plant and | | | | The procedure of the THC test is as follows. |
| additionally in a variety of other plants. It is also | | | | 1. Remove the test disk from the foil packet, and |
| known as THC, ÃŽ"9-THC, | | | | place it on a flat, dry surface. |
| ÃŽ"9-tetrahydrocannabinol | | | | 2. Holding the sample dropper above the test disk. |
| (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), | | | | Squeeze 2 drops of specimen into the sample |
| ÃŽ"1-tetrahydrocannabinol, or dronabinol. THC | | | | well. |
| is more popular as marijuana. THC is detectable | | | | 3. Interpret the test results at 3 to 5 minutes. |
| using the simple immunoassay strips only for one | | | | Three interpretations can be drawn from the |
| day after use if a rather small amount had been | | | | THC test. |
| ingested. | | | | 1. Positive |
| The after use affects of THC: | | | | 2. Negative |
| THC is the primary active ingredient in marijuana. | | | | 3. Invalid. |
| When ingested or smoked, it produces euphoric | | | | The interpretations can be drawn based on the |
| effects. Users have impairment of short-term | | | | instructions provided with the THC kit. |
| memory and ability to learn. Also, it may cause | | | | The limitations: |
| temporary episodes of confusion, anxiety, or | | | | 1. The test is designed for use with unadulterated |
| even high toxic fever. Long-term use with heavy | | | | human urine only. |
| doses may cause behavioral disorders. The peak | | | | 2. There is a possibility that factors such as |
| effect of smoking THC occurs in 20-30 minutes | | | | technical or procedural errors, as well as other |
| and the total effect lasts for 90-120 minutes | | | | substances in the urine samples may interfere |
| after one cigarette. Elevated levels of urinary | | | | with the test and cause erroneous results. |
| metabolites are found within hours of exposure | | | | 3. Adulterants such as bleach and/or alum, in urine |
| and remain detectable for 3-10 days after | | | | specimens may produce erroneous results |
| smoking. The main metabolite excreted in the | | | | regardless of the method of analysis. If |
| urine is 11-nor-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic | | | | adulteration is suspected, the test should be |
| acid. | | | | repeated with a new sample. |
| The THC test: | | | | 4. A positive test result does not provide any |
| The THC drug test is based on the principle of | | | | indication of the level of intoxication or urinary |
| the highly specific immunochemical reactions | | | | concentration. |
| between antigens and antibodies, which are used | | | | 5. The test results read after the time mentioned |
| for the analysis of specific substances in biological | | | | on the test kit might not be consistent with the |
| fluids. The cutoff of the test is 50 ng/ml of THC | | | | original reading obtained with in the reading period. |
| as per the SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and | | | | 6. Prolonged passive smoking of THC may also |
| Mental Health Services Administration) norms. | | | | produce a positive result. |