title: [Which biological matrix for cannabis testing?].
abstract: Decisive analytical progress for biological cannabis testing has been achieved over the past ten years. These major contributions allow to accurately identify and quantify in detail the substances present in the body following cannabinoid exposure. Fast and reliable onsite urine testing is used to implement the French law on narcotic drugs and its relationship to motorway safety. A positive test result will indicate a very recent exposure which is detectable up to five days following intake. Then a clinical examination and blood collection are performed by a physician, with a subsequent blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analysis by authorized professionals registered at the judicial court of appeal. A result higher than the cut-off value is associated with a very recent cannabis exposure. Blood, urine, saliva and sweat cannabis determination are assessed according to the most recent pharmacokinetic and analytical data.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de pharmacocinétique et de toxicologie cliniques, Groupe hospitalier du Havre, BP 24, F 76083 Le Havre Cedex. jgoulle@ch-havre.fr
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Goullé
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lacroix
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013759:Dronabinol