How to Test for THC

THC is a compound in the drug marijuana.

Marijuana use is illegal in the United States. According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse's "NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana" webpage, it can be smoked, eaten, or brewed as tea. THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a compound that determines the strength of the drug marijuana. Because THC is fat-soluble, it tends to stay in the body's fatty tissue. When testing for marijuana use, the tests are really detecting the compound THC and the metabolites or breakdown products of THC in either urine, blood, hair or saliva.

Instructions

1. Purchase a urine screening test for marijuana either online or at your local pharmacy. Urinate into a test cup and use the test lid or strip to see if THC metabolites are detected, or mail the urine sample to a laboratory for testing. It is the most common form of testing for marijuana especially in workplace drug testing programs. Because it tests for THC metabolites, you may test positive if you have used marijuana recently. If you are a frequent user of marijuana, THC metabolites may stay in your urine for up to four weeks.

2. Go to a laboratory for a blood screening test for marijuana. According to The National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws's "Blood or Urine? Fluid Matters" webpage, this test checks for THC as well as its metabolites. Marijuana use may be detected for a few hours after use as well as up to 24 hours later if you are a frequent user of marijuana. This should be done by a health professional.

3. Pluck hair strands and seal it in an envelope. Mail it to a forensic laboratory for a hair follicle screening test. This test detects THC metabolites that have gone from the blood stream into the hair follicle. Marijuana use may be detected a few months after use.

4. Purchase a saliva screening test for marijuana either online or at your local pharmacy. Put the provided swab in your mouth to test. Because the test looks for THC instead of its inactive metabolites, this is usually only accurate if used within a couple hours of marijuana use.

References

• American Council for Drug Education: Basic Facts About Drugs -- Marijuana
• Home Drug Testing Kit: THC Drug Test Kits & THC Information -- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) Definition
• The National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws: Blood or Urine? Fluid Matters
• National Institute of Drug Abuse: NIDA InfoFacts -- Marijuana

Resources

• The National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws: The ABCs of Marijuana and Drug Testing