How Long Does Cannabis Stay in the System

There are many factors...

After cannabis use, the amount of time that the drug remains in an individual’s body varies. Within a few hours of cannabis consumption, metabolites can be detected in a person’s urine. The presence of cannabis metabolites can continue to be detected up to a few days after a single dose of THC, or up to 30 days or longer following heavy usage.

There are many factors that determine how long it can be detected:

Frequency of consumption
Dosage levels
How long ago it was last consumed
The drug test sensitivity
Your metabolism
Body composition, specifically body fat levels of the person (THC binds to fat in the body)

To learn more on how Commodore Solutions can help you design and implement your drug and alcohol testing programs, please contact us.

Direct Alcohol Biomarker Testing in Dried Blood Spots

TESTING PEth

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct alcohol biomarker. Peth in blood exists as a component of the red blood cell membrane and is an alcohol-specific biomarker, meaning that it is created only in the presence of ethanol. Significant PEth levels can be detected up to approximately 2-4 weeks after alcohol ingestion. The stability of PEth in dried blood spots makes it ideal for forensic testing and research purposes. Our PEth assay uses state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS instrumentation.

Benefits of Using Dried Blood Spots

Detectable up to approximately 2-4 weeks

No Dry Time

1. Puncture

2. Collect

3. Ship

Dried blood spot collection is performed by the individual being tested (the donor) and must be observed by a staff member, after a short training session. Specimen amount is 5 dried blood spots on the dried blood spot card when collecting from a finger or 5 milliliters of blood, if using standard venipuncture collection with anticoagulant. Results are available 2-4 days after the sample is received in the laboratory.

Dried blood spot collection is quickly becoming the fastest, most convenient way to test for PEth.

Our services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For forensic use only.

Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Some of the most frequently asked questions are related to the types of tests and what they are used for.

1. Urine Drug Testing

Urine drug testing is most commonly performed for occupational purposes (i.e. pre-employment or pre-access) but can be used for personal testing reasons. The two types of urine testing are POCT/express or lab-based testing. POCT/express testing is performed in the collection facility and will yield either a negative or non-negative result (non-negative results are sent to lab for confirmation testing); negative results will be provided same day. Lab testing is performed at a certified laboratory and the timeframe for results is typically 2-5 business days. We have multiple drug panels (7 panel – 14 panel drug tests) to meet your needs.

2. Oral Swab Drug Testing

Oral swab drug testing is becoming more common in occupational testing for determining whether a person as used a substance recently and could potentially be impaired. The two types of oral swab testing are POCT/express or lab-based testing. POCT/express testing is performed in a collection facility and will yield either a negative or non-negative result (non-negative results are sent to the lab for confirmation testing); negative results will be provided same day. Lab testing is performed at a certified laboratory and the timeframe for results is 2-5 business days.

3. Dot Testing

There are some donors who cross the border to work in the United States (i.e. truck drivers) and require testing that complies with the US DOT regulations. The preferred government issued photo ID (especially for drivers) is a valid driver’s license. US DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40 Section 40.81 mandates lab-based testing which is performed at a certified laboratory and timeframe for results is 2-5 business days. Breath alcohol testing may also be required so a donor would want to avoid consuming alcohol for 24 hours prior to the test.

4. Hair/Nail Drug Testing

There are situations when more historical data is required to determine substance use/abuse. Generally court ordered in familial disputes where children are involved, but can occasionally be requested for personal or occupational purposes. Hair needs to be 1.5 inches in length and free from all chemical treatments (including colour) and nails should be natural (free from any coatings) and be at least the width of a quarter. Specimens are collected in our facility and shipped to a certified laboratory and results take anywhere from 1-2 weeks.