BY RUTH HILL R.N.
You just finished an interview for an important job. They want a drug test, but you are on medical cannabis. How do you proceed? Unless you want to be a test case for a legal fight about working while using medical cannabis, you better find a way to put off being tested. Begin with a self-test kit obtained in any drug store to determine your current urine test result.
After ingesting cannabis via tincture, orally, or suppository, enzymes in the intestines, stomach, and liver break down these molecules into metabolites. It is the delta9hydrocannabinoil (THC) metabolites that are tested in the blood or urine not cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis is lipophilic meaning it is stored in fat tissue. Thin people digest the cannabis faster because they do not have so much fat for storage. People who are overweight will take longer to excrete the metabolites.
One popular method of detox is activated charcoal which binds to THC. This method is only temporary therefore used within the 48 hours before a maximum detox is needed. The federal government claims detox products are prohibited for use of any illegal or unlawful purpose. Buyer beware. Trying to circumvent a drug test for employment is unlawful.
Many detox agents are recommended for reasons other than passing a drug test. Boosting the immune system, riding the body of toxins, reducing inflammation, pain reduction, removing body odor, nourishing skin and hair are some of the reasons people ingest detox formulas.
To understand the various methods of detox there are four pathways involved in metabolizing cannabis (or any substance) into and out of the body. First the metabolic pathway of (THC) as it is turned into three metabolites. The detox method attempts to inhibit or lower the enzymes that cause these metabolites to be excreted in the urine.
An alternate metabolic pathway uses the enzymes CPY2C9 or UGT1A, resulting in metabolites being excreted in the stool instead of the urine. Drug screenings are always done with a urine test. A third pathway is determining how the THC metabolites are distributed in the fat. The concentration of THC in the fat is one hundred times the concentration in the blood. It is believed that losing weight can speed up the elimination of THC in the urine.
A fourth pathway of concern is liver recirculation of the metabolites. As THC is processed by the liver and released into bile, it is converted into two metabolites: THC-COOH and glucuronide and released into the intestines. Bacterial enzymes in the intestines changes the glucuronide back into the THC-COOH metabolite to be reabsorbed by the liver and the process repeats itself. Activated charcoal will block this recirculation of THC-COOH and glucuronide resulting in excretion into the stool.
Finally, the fifth pathway is urinary elimination. Reducing elimination in the urine requires manipulating all metabolic pathways by introducing a CYP3A4 enzyme inducer, a CYP2C9 enzyme inhibitor, exercise to reduce fat, a diet of bran to help speed elimination multiple vitamins, herbs, and hydration.
Before you take any detox protocol, be aware of the dangers of detox products. Anyone trying to detox from cannabis should be 18 years or older, not be nursing, pregnant or intending to become pregnant. Detox agents are found in various herbal supplements that may not have been tested by the FDA. Be cautious if you are on antidepressants. The best detox is to abstain from cannabis for 14-30 days. Even then some may still have metabolites excreted in the urine after thirty days. Decide if failing this test is the better choice for your unique situation. Visit this website to determine which detox protocol is right for you. https://cannapassdetox.com/
Please remember to contact your senators about Senate S.420. It will end up in the dust bin of expired bills if the public does not participate. Please share this info and go to this website to send a letter to your representative.
https://norml.org/action-center/item/tell-your-congressional-representative-join-the-cannabis-caucus
Ruth Hill is a cannabis nurse navigator contact her at hilruth@gmail.com
