Enhanced testing, optimized answers

Comprehensive urine drug testing to accurately confirm and monitor marijuana use

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, weed, pot, or dope, is the most commonly used federally controlled substance in the United States.1 Derived from Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plants, which contain psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compounds, marijuana can cause euphoria, intensified sensations, altered pain sensitivity, and a range of other effects, but when misused can lead to intoxication, withdrawal, and biopsychosocial issues.2

Since prolonged use can lead to physical dependance and development of cannabis use disorder,3 the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and other professional societies recommend urine drug testing (UDT) as an evidence-based, therapeutic tool to identify and monitor marijuana use in support of patient recovery.4

THC Test Menu

Characterize use

Confirm cessation

By the numbers

49.6 Million

Americans reported using cannabis in 20205

21%

average annual increase in cannabis-associated ER visits between 2006-20157

16.3 Million

Americans age 12 and older had a cannabis use disorder in 20216

Innovative, patient-focused testing

Mayo Clinic Laboratories offers a comprehensive portfolio of marijuana testing and is one of the few laboratories in the nation to offer an evaluation to accurately characterize marijuana through identification of both delta-8 and delta-9 carboxy THC metabolites. Our unique approach to UDT is consistent with American Society of Addiction Medicine’s national consensus statement3 recommending UDT to identify the presence of prescribed and approved medication taken as part of addiction recovery therapy, as well as illicit substances most commonly abused.

Comprehensive testing for monitoring polysubstance use 

Understanding which substances patients have ingested improves providers’ abilities to determine the effectivity of the treatment plan and provide motivation or reinforcement for abstinence. Because we understand that testing needs vary by institution and patient, our marijuana monitoring assays are orderable individually or as part of comprehensive, controlled substance  or addiction rehabilitation monitoring profile to identify polysubstance use and to help physicians manage, monitor, and support patient recovery from substance use disorders.

Experienced, expert support

Analysis of urine drug testing results by our experts, who apply the most up-to-date scientific data, enables further transparency and clear answers that illuminate patients’ drug use. Test results are accompanied by interpretive reports the clearly identify the presence of prescribed, nonprescription, and illicit drugs. The inclusion of testing limitations, details on the window of drug detection, and information on the presence of pharmaceutical impurities and metabolic breakdowns of parent drugs in the reports provides important insights to guide treatment decisions.

Learn more about how to order these tests at your institution.

Resources

Publications

References

  1. Data and Statistics. Marijuana and Public Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/data-statistics.htm. Page updated June 2021. Accessed January 2023.
  2. Patel J, Marwaha R. Cannabis Use Disorder. The National Center for Biotechnology Information. Updated February 7, 2022. Accessed March 29, 2022. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131
  3. Cannabis (Marijuana) Research Report: Is marijuana addictive. National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/reseearch-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive. Published July 2020. Accessed January 2023.
  4. Jarvis M, Williams J, Hurford M, Lindsay D, et al.. Appropriate use of drug testing in clinical addiction medicine. J Addict Med 11(3):163-173, May/June 2017. | doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000323
  5. 2020 National Survey on Drug use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/2021-10/2020_NSDUH_Highlights.pdf
  6. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdf
  7. Roehler D, et al. Trends and characteristics of cannabis-associated emergency department visits in the United States, 2006–2018. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022 Mar 1;2022;232.