Marijuana Urine Testing
One of the most commonly used methods of checking the body for cannabis is through urine testing. Pictured: A Thai Muslim youth submits urine sample for drug testing. Getty Images/Madaree Tohlala

Even with the legalization of the medical and recreational use of marijuana in many U.S. states, certain employers and agencies still include testing for cannabis as part of pre-employment and acceptance procedures. This is why weed testing remains a paramount concern among many users. One of the most commonly used methods of checking the body for cannabis is urine testing.

Urine Testing for Marijuana

Testing for cannabis through the urine comes in many names, including drug abuse screening test, DAST, drug abuse test, and marijuana drug test urine. It is a two-part procedure that monitors the presence and quantity of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the active ingredient of weed. What the test does is look for THC and related components called metabolites. Its level of accuracy is so high that it is often the test of choice by many companies and results can manifest in as fast as 5 minutes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as long as the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, THC will test positive in 95 percent or more instances. Smoking a single joint produces metabolities that can be detected in urine for several days up to around two weeks, depending on the frequency and amount of weed use. THC can also stay as fat stores in the body. It is said that the longest ever reported detection time in urine is over 90 days.

How Weed is Tested in Urine

THC urine tests monitor marijuana, hashish and cannabis in pee. It comes as a strip, where you only need to place a few drops of pure urine. Results may be expected in as fast as 5 minutes.

This type of testing can provide accurate results regardless of the mode the cannabis is taken, either smoked as joints, smoked in pipes or vaporizers and inhalers, or ingested through cakes, brownies, and different food mixtures. A negative result means no THC was found in the urine, while the a positive result means THC is present.