Analysis index

10 ml urine

3 ml serum (stability in serum at 4°C – 8°C: 6 months)

Saliva (Saliva collection equipment is available on request)

100 mg hair

If applicable, also any material suspected to contain cannabis such as cigarettes, cigarette ends, residues in pipes etc.

Limit values and decision limits:

Blood:

THC 1 µg/l [§24a StVG (Road traffic laws)]

Urine:

THC-COOH 10 µg/l [MPU (Medical psychological examination)],

20 µg/l [Immunoassay]

Hair:

THC 0,02 ng/mg hair,

THC-COOH 0,2 pg/mg hair

Saliva:

THC 5 µg/ml [EWDTS (European Workplace Drug Testing)]

Suspicion of drug abuse, intoxication

THC (hash or marihuana) is usually consumed by inhalation (mixed with tobacco as a joint), occasionally also taken orally in the form of hash-cookies. The effective dose is around 10 mg – 50 mg of psychotropic THC. This works on the cannabinoid receptors of the central nervous system as well as the peripheral nervous system. Cannabis consumption leads to changes in perception, intensifies the current emotional state, has a relaxing effect and leads to talkativeness. Taken in high doses, there will be problems with memory, coordination, sense of time and own perception. Psychosis cannot only occur in case of chronic cannabis abuse (so-called “drug-induced psychosis”) but also already after single use. THC alone is responsible for the psychoactive effect of cannabis. Further cannabinoids such as CBN (cannabinol) are mainly responsible for a muscle relaxing effect. Cannabis products can lead to psychological dependence when used repeatedly. THC can significantly influence the ability to drive, depending on the consumed dose and the frequency of consumption, for a minimum of 24 hours and in case of chronic cannabis abuse even for several days.

Lately, synthetic cannabinoids with effects similar to THC appeared on the illegal markets. They, too, have a psychotropic effect on the endogenous cannabinoid receptors, with in parts extreme side effects. The synthetic cannabinoid-mimetics, which are applied to dried fragrant plants and marketed as “smoking blends” are referred to as “Spice”.

Detection times:

Blood:

THC: approximately 6 hours – 24 hours, occasionally even longer than 24 hours if consumed regularly or repeatedly

THC-COOH: 2 days – 3 days in case of single use, several days if consumed regularly.

Urine:

Only the metabolite THC-COOH: approximately 2 days – 3 days in case of single use; 2 days – 4 days in case of occasional use; 5 days – 14 days in case of regular consumption several times per week; 2 weeks – 6 weeks in case of continuous use/chronic abuse, in individual cases even up to 3 months.

Hair:

MPU (Medical psychological examination): max. 6 months

Other questions: up to 12 months and longer (depending on length of hair)

Saliva:

< 24 hours