Drug Screening Explained: Process, Frequency & Detecting Cannabis
May 22, 2023 Der Knospenzwirbler
Weed Wissen
Weed Wissen
Beim Drogenscreening wird der Konsum über einen längeren Zeitraum kontrolliert – meist im Zusammenhang mit MPU oder Führerschein. Unangekündigte Tests und Laboranalysen machen Abstinenz zur einzigen sicheren Lösung.
Drug screening is mostly about the long-term monitoring of a person's drug use. That means various drug tests are carried out at regular intervals to check whether consumption habits really have changed for good. In the vast majority of cases it involves cannabis breakdown products, in connection with regaining a driving licence, a fitness-to-drive check or a medical-psychological assessment. Exactly how such procedures are named and handled differs from country to country.
No matter who orders the drug screening, the process is always the same: within the screening period the subject repeatedly receives a letter or a phone call telling them to report to the lab for a drug test within a certain window, usually a maximum of 36 hours. The intervals are irregular and random, so that the person cannot 'prepare' for the test, meaning they cannot rely on the elimination time of the substances they have used.
At the lab, the first step is to confirm that it really is the right subject, and only then is the drug test carried out. The urine sample is given under the eyes of the lab staff to make any cheating impossible. It is then divided into three sample containers, creating the A, B and C samples. This split is necessary to keep the test result meaningful.
The three samples are then coded and archived electronically. The A sample is analysed, the B sample stays sealed for now and the C sample is deep-frozen. If the first sample comes back positive, the B sample is analysed by a different person at a different workstation using gas chromatography or mass spectrometry to verify the result.
Only if both results are positive is the overall test result considered positive and the drug use confirmed.
Regular use in medium to high doses can still be detected in urine weeks later, even with THC. Once you are in a situation where you have to undergo a drug screening, the only thing that helps is stopping use.
How does a drug screening work?
If regular drug use is suspected, the licensing authority may order a drug screening or demand a full medical report including the associated screenings. Screenings are sometimes also carried out by order of a court, the public prosecutor, an employment agency or an employer.No matter who orders the drug screening, the process is always the same: within the screening period the subject repeatedly receives a letter or a phone call telling them to report to the lab for a drug test within a certain window, usually a maximum of 36 hours. The intervals are irregular and random, so that the person cannot 'prepare' for the test, meaning they cannot rely on the elimination time of the substances they have used.
At the lab, the first step is to confirm that it really is the right subject, and only then is the drug test carried out. The urine sample is given under the eyes of the lab staff to make any cheating impossible. It is then divided into three sample containers, creating the A, B and C samples. This split is necessary to keep the test result meaningful.
The three samples are then coded and archived electronically. The A sample is analysed, the B sample stays sealed for now and the C sample is deep-frozen. If the first sample comes back positive, the B sample is analysed by a different person at a different workstation using gas chromatography or mass spectrometry to verify the result.
Only if both results are positive is the overall test result considered positive and the drug use confirmed.
Regular use in medium to high doses can still be detected in urine weeks later, even with THC. Once you are in a situation where you have to undergo a drug screening, the only thing that helps is stopping use.
Author: Der Knospenzwirbler
‘Der Knospenzwirbler’ has been part of our company for over 20 years and has witnessed several generations of cannabis culture: from the early days right through to today’s developments. His many years of practical experience and his deep understanding of products, materials and trends make his contributions particularly valuable. ‘Der Knospenzwirbler’ is a pseudonym, but behind the name lies a real person with genuine experience. His writing is insightful, easy to understand and always packed with substance rather than empty hype.