Urine tests are common in many countries, such as the United States. It is quite common for employers to have their employees tested for drug tests. As a result, they now concern millions of American citizens. It must be said that at the same time, the United States faces an unprecedented opioid crisis, an increase in cocaine and methamphetamine use. In addition, there is the legalization of recreational marijuana in nine states. The result is more US citizens are struggling with these tests.
This translates to a boon for the powdered urine website market. More commonly known as synthetic urine, it is made from chemicals and the powder is easy to get, it can be bought for an affordable price. In addition, it is quite easy to use.
On social networks, the method is recommended by many marijuana users who publish videos to explain how they use it during testing and attest to the effectiveness of the process. Indiana and New Hampshire have already banned these products. In their wake, 18 other states are currently trying to ban them. Meanwhile, synthetic urine continues to sell quietly.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is one of the main active molecules of cannabis, a cannabinoid. It is estimated that a seal contains two to 20 mg of THC and, when inhaled, 15-20% of the THC present in the smoke passes into the blood. It can also be detected in saliva, urine, and the hair. The psychotropic effects of cannabis persist for up to 12 hours, depending on the subject’s consumption and sensitivity.
The window of detectability of THC, therefore, depends on the age, the importance and the regularity of consumption. Note that once in the body, THC is degraded into two compounds, 11OH-THC and THC-COOH. THC is detectable in the blood a few seconds after the first inhalation; the maximum concentration of 11OH-THC is reached in about 30 minutes and the concentration of THC-COOH in less than two hours.
THC analysis
After cannabis use, mainly by inhalation, THC is immediately detectable in the blood. Its presence is also detectable in urine and saliva. THC is therefore used as a marker to detect the use of cannabis, often in a medico-legal context (traffic accident, suspicion of narcotics use, etc.) or occupational medicine (occupational medicine).
Several tests are used, depending on the context. Blood screening can detect cannabis use within a maximum of two to 10 hours after taking (THC, 11OH-THC, and THC-COOH are sought). This test is preferred in case of accident of the road, for example. It allows testers to estimate the time elapsed between the last consumption and the blood test. When the concentration of THC is greater than that of 11OH-THC, it indicates a consumption by inhalation.