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Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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How long does Marijuana stay in your system?
"There isn't much to say except that I have heard a lot of people say different figures for how long marijuana stays in your body after use, and it would be much appreciated if you could give me the answer. Thank you."
Urine, blood, saliva, and hair can all be tested for marijuana (cannabinoid) metabolites. Urine testing is the most common, is generally less expensive, and it is more widely available.
A positive urine test establishes past use but cannot give you an exact timeline of last use. This is because cannabinoid metabolites persist in bodily fluids for extended periods of time and are excreted slowly. Thus, urine tests for marijuana metabolites remain positive after discontinuation of marijuana for up to:
• 7 to 10 days in a casual marijuana user
• Two to four weeks in a heavy user
• Months in a chronic heavy user
An interesting way to assess current marijuana use is sweat patch testing. The person wears the patch, which continuously absorbs sweat. The patch is more resistant to cheating compared to urine tests because once the patch is removed, the edges become disfigured if the patient attempts to replace it. The patch can be worn for a few hours to a few weeks, after which it falls off. The patch collects evidence of cannabis use during the time it is worn. The patch is intended to be removed under direct observation, after which it is sent to a laboratory for testing.
You may be aware that many remedies have been recommended for helping pass a urine drug screen for marijuana including strip NC (natural cleanser) from GNC, green tea, niacin (500mg), and vitamin B complex among others. I know of no evidence that these work and most urine, hair and blood tests are so sensitive I can’t imagine it helps.
Dr O.
Related Discussions on DailyStrength:
Urine, blood, saliva, and hair can all be tested for marijuana (cannabinoid) metabolites. Urine testing is the most common, is generally less expensive, and it is more widely available.
A positive urine test establishes past use but cannot give you an exact timeline of last use. This is because cannabinoid metabolites persist in bodily fluids for extended periods of time and are excreted slowly. Thus, urine tests for marijuana metabolites remain positive after discontinuation of marijuana for up to:
• 7 to 10 days in a casual marijuana user
• Two to four weeks in a heavy user
• Months in a chronic heavy user
An interesting way to assess current marijuana use is sweat patch testing. The person wears the patch, which continuously absorbs sweat. The patch is more resistant to cheating compared to urine tests because once the patch is removed, the edges become disfigured if the patient attempts to replace it. The patch can be worn for a few hours to a few weeks, after which it falls off. The patch collects evidence of cannabis use during the time it is worn. The patch is intended to be removed under direct observation, after which it is sent to a laboratory for testing.
You may be aware that many remedies have been recommended for helping pass a urine drug screen for marijuana including strip NC (natural cleanser) from GNC, green tea, niacin (500mg), and vitamin B complex among others. I know of no evidence that these work and most urine, hair and blood tests are so sensitive I can’t imagine it helps.
Dr O.
Related Discussions on DailyStrength:
Anyone know how long to abstain before urine test is clean..from thc? Posted on 04/23/09, 12:53 pm- Does anyone know how long nicotine stays in your body? Are there things out there to help the process? Posted on 01/11/07, 12:24 pm
- Question...I was a moderately heavy smoker this past time when I quit..3-4 j's a day usually. How long do ya think it would totally get out of my system where I wouldnt think it was causing my mood swings? Posted on 02/14/09, 12:46 pm
- The reason i took that test because i just went for a job interview and got hired. I wont start working until next week because they want me to get a drug test...i failed the one at home and i dont want to fail the company's drug test..My question is, how long does it stay in my system? I drank a flush yesterday morning and it still shows possitve.. what can i do? Posted on 07/09/07, 11:20 am
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She says that she would rather stay with the dead-end, low-paying job where she is now than quit smoking. This is very hard for me to understand.