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This has always been a really bad argument, the myriad ways it's been made. I wouldn't want my doctor drunk while he operates on me either. But failing a mariju

This has always been a really bad argument, the myriad ways it's been made. I wouldn't want my doctor drunk while he operates on me either. But failing a marijuana drug test says absolutely nothing about weather you are under the influence of marijuana. If you could detect alcohol in the blood a week after taking a drink, it would be clearly stupid to have random alcohol tests that cause you to lose your job if a trace is found. The way to ensure that people do a good job is fire them if they don't do a good job. No need for indirect methods.

random_upvoter 11y ago
> But failing a marijuana drug test says absolutely nothing about weather you are under the influence of marijuana. I'm not so sure of that. Failing a marijuana drug test means that there's a measurable amount of THC in your body.
- jp555 11y ago
  Most tests measure THC metabolites, not THC, and in a heavy user these fat solvable compounds can persist for almost a year after cessation. They are not "under the influence" for those 10 months.
- PixelB 11y ago
  You may not be so sure of that, but I am. A "marijuana drug test" usually means testing for THC metabolites, not active THC in your blood stream. These can show up on test results a month after you ingested anything. Imagine if tomorrow you were called in and they did a test to see if you had a single beer/glass of wine in the last month. Would you pass that test? If you would, great.. I'm willing to put down money that most people wouldn't.
  - niels_olson 11y ago
    There are quantitative tests for THC and its metabolites. A quantitative test can be dialed to whatever threshold you want, within the lower limit of detection for the methodology.. Demonstrate that most people are "under the influence" at a threshold value, then set policy to that value. This is just a matter of political will and influence. Many studies have been done, enough to design specific 'influence' studies (for driving, etc).

random_upvoter 11y ago

> But failing a marijuana drug test says absolutely nothing about weather you are under the influence of marijuana. I'm not so sure of that. Failing a marijuana drug test means that there's a measurable amount of THC in your body.

jp555 11y ago
Most tests measure THC metabolites, not THC, and in a heavy user these fat solvable compounds can persist for almost a year after cessation. They are not "under the influence" for those 10 months.
PixelB 11y ago
You may not be so sure of that, but I am. A "marijuana drug test" usually means testing for THC metabolites, not active THC in your blood stream. These can show up on test results a month after you ingested anything. Imagine if tomorrow you were called in and they did a test to see if you had a single beer/glass of wine in the last month. Would you pass that test? If you would, great.. I'm willing to put down money that most people wouldn't.
- niels_olson 11y ago
  There are quantitative tests for THC and its metabolites. A quantitative test can be dialed to whatever threshold you want, within the lower limit of detection for the methodology.. Demonstrate that most people are "under the influence" at a threshold value, then set policy to that value. This is just a matter of political will and influence. Many studies have been done, enough to design specific 'influence' studies (for driving, etc).