Cannabis is one of the most used drugs of abuse in the UK. Because of this, many employers will screen employees for cannabis drug use using cannabis drug test kits. Often an employer will start testing for cannabis using a multi-panel drug test. Most of these types are able to detect THC, the active compound in cannabis. Metabolites from the breakdown of THC are detectable in occasional users of Cannabis for up to 5 days, while they can be detected for as long as three months after chronic use of the drug. On average, however, THC will show up on drug tests for around 25-27 days at most.
The reason cannabis is detectable for so long after using it is because THC is fat soluble, which means it tends to linger in the fatty tissue, then it is gradually released into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidney to be excreted in the urine over weeks. It’s impossible to determine exactly how long THC will be detectable in a person. It depends on individual metabolism, as well as how much and how frequently it is used.
The Science Behind Cannabis Detection
THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, isn’t just detected in urine. It leaves traces in various parts of the body, each with different detection windows. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Blood: Detectable for up to 36 hours
- Saliva: Traceable for 24-72 hours
- Hair: Can show up for months, even years
But why does THC linger so long? It’s all about lipophilicity – THC’s love for fat. When you consume cannabis, THC hitchhikes on your bloodstream, quickly nestling into fat cells. Your body, being the efficient machine it is, slowly metabolises and releases THC back into your system over time.
This slow release is why chronic users might test positive weeks after their last toke. It’s like your body’s own time-release capsule, but instead of delivering medicine, it’s dropping THC breadcrumbs for drug tests to find.
Understanding this process can help users make informed decisions about consumption, especially if they’re subject to workplace drug testing.
Cannabis Drug Test Kits — Cut-Off Levels
THC may be the most common drug test administered. Urine tests are both fairly inexpensive and easy to administer, so are used more often than other types of tests. The cheapest type of cannabis drug test kits that you can buy are single drug test kits that just screen for THC.
There are two main steps to a urine test for THC. In the first step, the subject provides a urine sample under tightly controlled conditions at a testing facility. The subject may be required to remove their clothing and wear a hospital gown. The purpose of this is to ensure the sample comes from the subject and that a sample from someone else is not passed off as the subject’s own.
The subject will then be escorted into a restroom where the sample is given. Water in the toilet is dyed blue to prevent watering down the sample. Water supply to the sink will be shut off for the same reason. A staff member will be ready to take the sample as soon as it is obtained and will test the sample. Standard protocol includes testing the temperature of the sample to ensure it is consistent with normal body temperature.
Cannabis drug test kits are regulated so that the results can be reliably interpreted. The unit of measurement in drug tests is nanograms per millilitre. A positive test on a urine sample is 50 nanograms per millilitre of urine or more. A positive result is confirmed with a follow-up test. If the result of the follow-up test is also 50 nanograms or more per millilitre of urine, it will result in consequences.
Cannabis and Beyond: Zoom Testing’s 18-Panel Urine Drug Test
This innovative 18-panel urine drug test cup from Zoom Testing, UK drug testing experts, offers unparalleled detection capabilities, with a particular emphasis on THC (cannabis). As cannabis remains one of the most commonly used recreational drugs, this test provides reliable detection of its metabolites. However, the test’s capabilities extend far beyond just cannabis. It can identify a wide range of substances, from other popular recreational drugs like cocaine and MDMA, to prescription medications that may be subject to abuse. The test also screens for amphetamines and opiates, as well as synthetic cannabinoids like Spice/K2, which attempt to mimic the effects of cannabis. This comprehensive panel even includes tests for cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, providing a full picture of an individual’s substance use. With its broad spectrum of detectable substances and ease of use, this test cup is an invaluable tool for employers, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies seeking a thorough and efficient drug screening solution, particularly in contexts where cannabis use is a primary concern.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
This post was originally published in 2014. It was last updated in October 2024.
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
