The Marijuana Detection Window - National Drug Court Institute

DRUG COURT PRACTITIONER FACT SHEET12;257(22):3110-4. The article is titled;“Scientific Issues in Drug Testing—Council onScientific Affairs.” On page 3112, Table 2. titled“Approximate Duration of Detectability ofSelected Drugs in Urine” lists chronic heavysmoker as 21-27 days. The references cited forthis data are Dackis, et. al (1982), and Ellis, et.al. (1985), the potential shortcomings of bothhave been discussed in this article. It is noteworthyand illustrative that this 1999 “updated”publication still relies on research performed in1982 and 1985.5. Cannabinoid Issues: Passive Inhalation,Excretion Patterns and Retention Times(pamphlet). (1991). Dade Behring, SYVACompany, S-10036. On page 25 in a tabletitled: “Emit d.a.u. Cannabinoid Assay (20ng/mL)” is listed the following:All Subjects (n = 86):First Negative:Mean = 16.0 days Range = 3-46 daysLast Positive:Mean = 27.1 days Range = 3-77 daysExamination of the references associated withthis data indicates the following sources; Ellis,et. al. (1985), Schwartz, Hayden, & Riddile (1985),and Johansson& Halldin (1989). All of thesereferences and their potential study design issueshave been reviewed in this article. This pamphletalso contains cannabinoid elimination datausing the Emit-st Cannabinoid Assay testingmethod. Given that this assay is no longerbeing manufactured, the data was not included.6. Website: What You Need to Know. About.comURL: http://experts.about.com/q/1319/718935.htm.This is a popular website for general informationinquiries about almost any subject matter. In asection entitled “About Our Service” the websitestates, “Allexperts, created in early 1998,was the very first large-scale question andanswer service on the net! We have thousandsof volunteers, including top lawyers, doctors,engineers, and scientists, waiting to answeryour questions. All answers are free and mostcome within a day!”The question submitted to the site was, “Howlong does marijuana stay in your system?” Theexpert response was: “The average time potstays in your system is 30 days. The time maydiffer depending on your metabolism. If youhave a fast metabolism it may be shorter than30 days, if you have a slow metabolism it maybe more. The average though is about 30 days.”Note that in this answer, 30 days is given as anaverage cannabinoid elimination time.7. Website: Health Choice of New York. URL:http://www.clearchoiceofny.com/drugtestinfo.htm. This website states: “It's One Stop ShoppingFor All Of Your Detoxifying Needs. We Have AllThe Products You Need To Pass A Urine DrugTest.” In a section entitled “Drug ApproximateDetection Time in Urine,” the site provides thefollowing information: “Cannabinoids (THC,Marijuana) 20-90 days.”8. Website: IPassedMyDrugTest.Com. URL:http://www.ipassedmydrugtest.com/drug_test_faq.asp#detect_timeThe following table is provided:Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana) Detection Time:1 time only 5-8 days2-4x per month 11-18 days2-4x per week 23-35 days5-6x per week 33-48 daysDaily49-63 days9. Website: HealthWorld Online. URL:http://www.healthy.net/clinic/lab/labtest/004.asp.Site’s mission statement; “HealthWorld Onlineis your 24-hour health resource center—a virtualhealth village where you can access information,products, and services to help create yourwellness-based lifestyle.” In the section called“Detection of Cannabinoids in Urine,” the followinginformation is provided: “Cutoff andDetection Post Dose: The initial screening cutofflevel is 50 ng/ml. The GC/MS cutoff level is15 ng/ml. The elimination half-life of marijuanaranges from 14-38 hours. At the initial cutoff of50 ng/ml, the daily user will remain positive forperhaps 7 to 30 days after cessation. At theconfirmation level of 15 ng/ml, the frequentuser will be positive for perhaps as long as 15weeks.”10.Website: Dr. Drew. URL:http://drdrew.com/Office/faq.asp?id=1083&section=5002QUESTION: How long does pot (or other drugs)stay in your body? Is there any way to detect it?ANSWER: Most readily available drug screensare tests of the urine. Blood tests and breathanalyzers are another way substances can bedetected. Pot stays in your body, stored in fattissues, potentially your whole life. However,it is very unusual to be released in sufficientquantities to have an intoxicating effect or bemeasurable in urine screens. Heavy pot smokers,people who have smoked for years on a dailybasis, very commonly have detectable amountsin their urine for at least two weeks.15