[LadyLily12345]

Hi Dr. Bill
I am really nervous because I have a hair follicle test coming up.
I haven't smoked marijuana in many years, but I have eaten it twice.

I had half a marijuana cookie made with "butter" back in late November 2011. I didn't even know what it was until I ate a big chunk. It tasted horrible, but I finished eating it... then learned what it was. I have only smoked/ingested maybe 8 times in my life - so I had a really bad reaction to the cookie. I was sweating profusely and couldn't form a sentence. It lasted 24 hours and was horrible. I think my body rejected it.

Then on June 14, 2012, I had a tiny corner of an edible marijuana treat. It was smaller than my thumb, but I think I may have felt the effects a little bit.

The issue is that my hair test may be as soon as 2 weeks (about a month from last consumption). I am a female - about 5'8" and 140 pounds - muscular build. I am 30 years old and I work out regularly and run distance.

It's a Psychemedics test, and I hear they have new technology. I'm scared about this and (of course) regret my stupid decisions. I am losing sleep over this. Please give me the cold hard truth.

Thank you in advance. I know this probably isn't your favorite kind of question to answer. I am so irresponsible... lesson learned.

[LadyLily12345]

Also... does it matter if it's eaten v. smoking?

[DrBill100]

Oral consumption of THC.

Marilyn Huestis with the National Institutes of Health first noted that oral consumption of THC didn't show up in hair tests. She tested in form of hemp oil and dronabinol (a THC based legal pharmaceutical). Few subjects in this test.

Subsequently, Auwater & associates, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Germany further tested oral consumption and found that even when consumed on a regular basis no relevant incorporation into hair occurred.

At this point it seems that orally consumed THC containing products do not register in hair tests because THC is not incorporated. Why is yet to be explained.

That aside, it is well established that THC (when smoked) must be used frequently to be detected in hair. Infrequent use doesn't show up. While hair testing may be effective in detection of base drugs it has proven to be a poor medium for detection of marijuana.

It would seem you are in the clear either way.

1)Auwater, et al (2010)
2)Huestis (2007)

[LadyLily12345]

Thank you Dr. Bill!