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What is a Saliva Marijuana Test?

Laura Evans
Laura Evans

A saliva marijuana test is a method of determining whether an individual has ingested or smoked marijuana. The saliva marijuana test is the least effective method of the commonly used drug tests to determine if an person has used the drug. Evidence that a person has used will only show for about two hours. In fact, a saliva marijuana test may also be prone to give a false negative result if the person being tested used the drug very recently before testing.

Marijuana, or cannabis sativa, is a plant. When a person ingests or smokes parts of the plant, including the seeds, leaves, or flowers, he may experience changes in perception involving taste, touch, sight, and passage of time. In addition, the individual may have difficulties with coordination, difficulties in making decisions, or may experience panic attacks. The ingredient that is responsible for these changes in perception is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Drug testing looks for THC in the substance tested.

Marijuana plants.
Marijuana plants.

The United States classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substance Act. This means that marijuana is not considered to be safe or effective for medical use. Penalties for possession or being under the influence of marijuana vary from state to state. Some states, such as California, legally allow marijuana usage when a physician has prescribed the drug.

A saliva test for marijuana must be done within about two hours of smoking it.
A saliva test for marijuana must be done within about two hours of smoking it.

Drug testing can be required under a number of circumstances. For example, a company may require screening for drugs, including marijuana, as a condition of employment. Courts may order a person to submit to drug testing as a condition of a plea bargain or parole. An institution may ask recovering drug or alcohol addicts to pass random drug screening in order to participate in a program that helps these people to remain sober.

The saliva marijuana test is the least effective method of the commonly used drug tests used for detecting the presence of marijuana in a person's system.
The saliva marijuana test is the least effective method of the commonly used drug tests used for detecting the presence of marijuana in a person's system.

Screening methods for marijuana include testing the urine, hair follicles, and saliva. Urine testing is the most frequently used, as well as the least expensive method used. The amount of time that THC can be detected varies by individual and by the test used.

While a saliva marijuana test may only be able to detect THC for a few hours, a saliva marijuana test does have advantages over other types of testing. For example, it is more difficult to substitute someone else's saliva when the sample comes directly from the mouth. In addition, getting samples for testing is less embarrassing than taking a urine test. Test results come quickly, making a saliva marijuana test convenient to use when someone is thought to be under the influence while at work or after a work-related accident.

Discussion Comments

AnnaMatin785

That someone's hair test (with a sample at least a foot long that would have shown a history of chronic usage) was apparently never checked since he/she passed the whiz quiz. Hair tests are expensive and someone believes that the hair test is a backup in case of a positive on the urine test.

wesley91

@alex94: Hair testing consists of hair specimens being analyzed for drugs. Drugs enter the blood stream and are broken down to a specific metabolite. When testing hair samples, the metabolite and the parent drug are isolated.

Compared to oral fluid, urine, or blood testing, hair samples detect a much longer period of drug use. In a urine screen, drugs are detected within 2-3 days of use. The exception to that is marijuana, which stays in the system longer. With a hair follicle testing, detection of drugs can go back 90 days.

alex94

How does the marijuana hair follicle drug test work?

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    • Marijuana plants.
      By: Boyan Dimitrov
      Marijuana plants.
    • A saliva test for marijuana must be done within about two hours of smoking it.
      By: Joshua Resnick
      A saliva test for marijuana must be done within about two hours of smoking it.
    • The saliva marijuana test is the least effective method of the commonly used drug tests used for detecting the presence of marijuana in a person's system.
      By: Adrian Costea
      The saliva marijuana test is the least effective method of the commonly used drug tests used for detecting the presence of marijuana in a person's system.
    • Some U.S. states allow cancer patients and other people with documented health issues to legally possess medical marijuana.
      By: janifest
      Some U.S. states allow cancer patients and other people with documented health issues to legally possess medical marijuana.