NCJ Number
219030
Date Published
April 2006
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Through a literature review, this paper provides guidance for drug courts with an examination of the marijuana detection window, the length of time cannabinoids remain detectable in one’s urine following smoking of marijuana.
Abstract
Using the data from the five studies cited in this review that researchers described as chronic marijuana users, the average detection window for cannabinoids in urine at the lowest cutoff concentration of 20ng.mL was just 14 days. However, there has been widespread assumption that cannabinoids can be routinely detected in urine following the smoking of marijuana for 30 days or longer. The cannabinoid detection window is a scientifically supportable, evidence-based effort to establish a reasonable and practical standard for determining the length of time cannabinoids will remain detectable in urine following the smoking of marijuana. The question being addressed is how long these residual cannabinoid metabolites will continue to be excreted in urine in sufficient quantities to produce a positive drug test. The detection window for cannabinoids in urine must be seen in the proper context, as a reasonable estimate. Drug courts are reminded that science is not black and white and that the state of our knowledge is continually evolving. While detection window benchmarks will and should guide the sanctioning process for violations of abstinent behavior, courts are urged to judge a client’s level of compliance on a case by case basis using all of the behavioral data available to the court in conjunction with drug testing results. In unconventional situations that confound the court, qualified toxicological assistance should be sought. References, endnotes