A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the most common and practical procedure for testing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its associated costs. The response details urinalysis and blood testing methods, along with their respective prices.

AnsweredQoN 917Legislative Council
Asked
9 May 2003
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What is the most common and practical procedure available to test for tetrahydrocannabinol in the human system? (2) What is the estimated cost of this type of test? Hon KEN TRAVERS

AnswerView source ↗

(1) Urinalysis is the most common and practical procedure to test for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in the human system. THC metabolites will be present in urine for up to one month after last use in regular users. The only way to correlate impairment with drug concentration is to determine parent -THC - drug levels. This requires analysis of either blood or saliva - still being researched. (2) Urine drug screens for THC metabolites are conducted by immunoassay and cost approximately $15 to $17. Positive urine samples are often then confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the average cost being $55. Blood testing for parent THC levels using GC/MC costs an average of $55.
(2) What is the estimated cost of this type of test? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: (1) Urinalysis is the most common and practical procedure to test for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in the human system. THC metabolites will be present in urine for up to one month after last use in regular users. The only way to correlate impairment with drug concentration is to determine parent -THC - drug levels. This requires analysis of either blood or saliva - still being researched. (2) Urine drug screens for THC metabolites are conducted by immunoassay and cost approximately $15 to $17. Positive urine samples are often then confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the average cost being $55. Blood testing for parent THC levels using GC/MC costs an average of $55.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: (1) Urinalysis is the most common and practical procedure to test for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in the human system. THC metabolites will be present in urine for up to one month after last use in regular users. The only way to correlate impairment with drug concentration is to determine parent -THC - drug levels. This requires analysis of either blood or saliva - still being researched. (2) Urine drug screens for THC metabolites are conducted by immunoassay and cost approximately $15 to $17. Positive urine samples are often then confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the average cost being $55. Blood testing for parent THC levels using GC/MC costs an average of $55.
(1) Urinalysis is the most common and practical procedure to test for tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites in the human system. THC metabolites will be present in urine for up to one month after last use in regular users. The only way to correlate impairment with drug concentration is to determine parent -THC - drug levels. This requires analysis of either blood or saliva - still being researched. (2) Urine drug screens for THC metabolites are conducted by immunoassay and cost approximately $15 to $17. Positive urine samples are often then confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the average cost being $55. Blood testing for parent THC levels using GC/MC costs an average of $55.
(2) Urine drug screens for THC metabolites are conducted by immunoassay and cost approximately $15 to $17. Positive urine samples are often then confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the average cost being $55. Blood testing for parent THC levels using GC/MC costs an average of $55.

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