About Testing for Marijuana in Blood
According to Drug Detection Laboratories Inc., blood testing procedures for cannabis provide information that reveals if an individual is under the influence of marijuana 4. This plant-based substance contains THC, the intoxicating chemical element of cannabis. Marijuana can remain in the bloodstream for up to four hours after use. Individuals who use marijuana frequently have longer detection periods, due to the accumulation of THC in their bloodstream.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
History
According to NARCONON International, non-medical use of marijuana to achieve euphoria dates back to A.D. 500. Chinese medical writings from 2737 B.C. note its medicinal use. Then, in 1545, the Spanish introduced marijuana to the United States, where it became a commercial crop with tobacco. Marijuana was grown for use as fiber for clothing until it was replaced by cotton in the 1800s. Marijuana was prescribed during this same period as a medicine for labor pain, nausea and rheumatism symptom relief. The earliest history of specific drug legislation was 1914. The Harrison Act, according to the Drug Library website, made non-medical use of drugs illegal. However, sophisticated testing tools were not developed until the late 1950s.
- According to NARCONON International, non-medical use of marijuana to achieve euphoria dates back to A.D. 500.
- Chinese medical writings from 2737 B.C.
- note its medicinal use.
Testing Identification
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The Forensic Toxicology Specialists report that blood-testing tools identify cannabinoids, or the chemical compound 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The National Organization for The Reform of Marijuana Laws states that blood screening detects the presence of immediate use of illicit drugs 3. THC only remains detectable in the bloodstream of marijuana users for a few hours. Therefore, blood tests are administered in the workplace after an accident because of its ability to determine use within 12 to 24 hours.
- The Forensic Toxicology Specialists report that blood-testing tools identify cannabinoids, or the chemical compound 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
- Therefore, blood tests are administered in the workplace after an accident because of its ability to determine use within 12 to 24 hours.
Considerations
Urine testing is a more effective testing tool for THC in the body than blood testing. Blood testing, however, can reveal current intoxication levels better than urine testing as indicated by Forensic Toxicology Specialists with Drug Detection Laboratories Inc. Urine testing determines use within approximately the last 20 days, depending on frequency of use. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world, notes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Effects
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The physiological effects are red eyes and increased pulse and blood pressure. The effects of the recreational use of this illegal plant are counterproductive in employment settings and vehicle operation. Therefore, blood-testing procedures can protect employers and the community.
Expert Insight
According to a 1996 Federal Bureau of Investigation report, marijuana arrests in the United States doubled from 1991 to 1995. During this time, approximately 500,000 people were arrested for marijuana offenses with 86 percent arrested for marijuana possession. The FBI notes that tens of thousands of people are currently imprisoned for marijuana offenses. In addition to jail time, many are punished with fines, personal property seizure, driver's license revocation and terminated employment.
- According to a 1996 Federal Bureau of Investigation report, marijuana arrests in the United States doubled from 1991 to 1995.
- During this time, approximately 500,000 people were arrested for marijuana offenses with 86 percent arrested for marijuana possession.
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References
- University of Iowa News Service: UI Studies: Frequent Marijuana Use May Affect Brain Function but Not Structure
- Drug Policy Alliance: Myths and Facts About Marijuana
- National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, NORML: The ABCs of Marijuana and Drug Testing
- Drug Detection Laboratory Inc. General Information on Drugs of Abuse and Drug Detection Testing
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2019.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. What is Marijuana? Updated April 2020.
- Meier MH, Caspi A, Ambler A, et al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012;109(40):E2657-2664. doi:10.1073/pnas.1206820109
- Ribeiro L, Ind PW. Marijuana and the lung: hysteria or cause for concern? Breathe (Sheff). 2018;14(3):196-205. doi:10.1183/20734735.020418
- Huang YH, Zhang ZF, Tashkin DP, Feng B, Straif K, Hashibe M. An Epidemiologic Review of Marijuana and Cancer: An Update. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2015;24(1):15-31. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-1026
- Patrick ME, Bray BC, Berglund PA. Reasons for Marijuana Use Among Young Adults and Long-Term Associations With Marijuana Use and Problems. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2016;77(6):881-888. doi:10.15288/jsad.2016.77.881
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review and Research Agenda. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: the Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: the National Academies Press; 2017.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Is marijuana a gateway drug? Updated July 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Marijuana: How Can It Affect Your Health? Updated February 27, 2018.
- Colizzi M, Bhattacharyya S. Cannabis use and the development of tolerance: a systematic review of human evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;93:1-25. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.014
- Hasin DS, Saha TD, Kerridge BT, et al. Prevalence of Marijuana Use Disorders in the United States Between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(12):1235-1242. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1858
- Winters KC, Lee CY. Likelihood of developing an alcohol and cannabis use disorder during youth: Association with recent use and age. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008;92(1-3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.08.005
- Bonnet U, Preuss UW. The cannabis withdrawal syndrome: current insights. Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2017;8:9-37. doi:10.2147/SAR.S109576
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Available Treatments for Marijuana Use Disorders. Updated April 2020.
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Writer Bio
Suann Schuster has been working as a freelance writer since 2004. She served as an item writer for McGraw-Hill Education and a curriculum author. Schuster now provides content for Science and Massage Therapy texts for McGraw-Hill, as well as for test banks. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Sedona.