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dassah234 · May 25, 2012, 10:33 AM

I hadn't smoked weed in almost a year, and ended up taking about 5 hits from a neighbor's joint recently. It was low-grade weed. I work out almost every day, about 135lbs, female, and 5'5" with a high metabolism. I am very healthy and drink only water, occasionally coffee. I ended up applying for a job I had not expected to, and had to take a drug test (EMIT assay). I had 27 days from the smoking episode until I took the test. Is there any way that the THC metabolites would have shown up? I may just be being overly paranoid, but I really would like to get this job. Thanks :)

DrBill100 · May 25, 2012, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by dassah234

I hadn't smoked weed in almost a year, and ended up taking about 5 hits from a neighbor's joint recently. It was low-grade weed. I work out almost every day, about 135lbs, female, and 5'5" with a high metabolism. I am very healthy and drink only water, occasionally coffee. I ended up applying for a job I had not expected to, and had to take a drug test (EMIT assay). I had 27 days from the smoking episode until I took the test. Is there any way that the THC metabolites would have shown up? I may just be being overly paranoid, but I really would like to get this job. Thanks :)

Should not. The EMIT immunoassay would in all likelihood be 50 ng screen. Further, regardless of test administered your system should be completely clear of THC and metabolites at 27 days.

dassah234 · May 26, 2012, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by DrBill100

Should not. The EMIT immunoassay would in all likelihood be 50 ng screen. Further, regardless of test administered your system should be completely clear of THC and metabolites at 27 days.

Thank you for the quick response, DrBill100. I had taken an at home THC screen 2 weeks prior to the lab test, with my first morning void and it was negative. I just wasn't sure how much the home tests and lab tests might vary. But considering my system was clean prior to the single episode, and the fact that it was low dose, I didn't feel I was at high risk, just a little worried.

Fr_Chuck · May 26, 2012, 10:37 AM

Not as smart as Dr Bill on this, but from a person who has tested others, you should pass.

DrBill100 · May 26, 2012, 10:40 AM

When self-testing for cannabinoids always keep in mind that you can test clean one day and it will rebound the next... that applies almost exclusively in heavy users and is related to accumulation in system.

The reliability of the home test is entirely dependent on the manufacturer. There should be a package insert that provides the error rates (FDA required).

dassah234 · May 29, 2012, 02:48 PM

Just out of curiosity DrBill100, is 27 days on the edge, or would the metabolites have cleared in any less time? I know you say that tests can fluctuate, but that is for heavy users (seeing as I am not one myself). From my understanding, Thc is an "iffy" topic. Some people are very adamant that 30 days is the standard, no matter what.

DrBill100 · May 29, 2012, 03:40 PM

All drug tests are subject to time variance based on metabolism and drug type.

Infrequent and one time use are entirely different issues from chronic heavy use. Here is a link to a recent study from Marilyn Huestis, NIH. She is and has been the most prolific researcher in the field for at least 30 years. You can read this and then find other studies within the references section.

Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics

There is so much opinion, misinformation and disinformation on marijuana in general, you are well advised to stick with published research... there's plenty of it.

Based on your statement I wouldn't consider your case to be a close call.

dassah234 · Jun 5, 2012, 02:40 PM

Well, I got the job (yay!). Passed with flying colors, thanks again for some peace of mind.

jane999 · Dec 13, 2012, 10:03 AM

I recently went for a drug test (Early December) for a new job but it went for further testing (so it came up positive I assume) the ONLY drug I've taken in the last year is cannabis, no uppers,downers, codeine, paracetamol - nothing. The last time I had cannabis was about a third of a joint at the beginning of September this year. I was smoking on and off from January to mid July maybe 6/7 joints a week every three weeks. Then I stopped from July until this one-off joint in September and like I said nothing since. I am overweight (BMI) of 32. I don't exercise but I had two jobs all over summer (up until the end of october) which were both fairly physical - lots of walking around lifting carrying small weights etc. Anyway everything I have read says I should pass a drugs test because the last time I smoked cannabis was more than 90 days before the test (100 I believe) and that was a very small amount. I have a couple of questions:

1)why have I tested positive when I have taken no drugs other than cannabis over 90 days ago?

2) does the EMIT test measures for 50ng per ml of all the THC metabolites combined? Or just one?

3) does the GCMS test measure for 15np per ml of just one of the THC metabolites or all combined? If both tests are testing the same combination then why don't they just set the EMIT test to 15 ng? This for me is very confusing