[Passive inhalation of cannabis smoke--is it detectable?].
BACKGROUND
It is frequently questioned whether cannabinoids are detectable in urine from individuals having been passively exposed to hashish or marihuana smoke. Literature was reviewed to shed light on an issue that is often debated in the health services, judicial system and in sports.


METHODS
A Medline search with the index terms "cannabis", "hashish", "marihuana" was conducted in September 2007. Summaries, abstracts and reference lists of selected articles were screened for relevancy.


RESULTS
Seven experimental studies with humans were identified. Cannabinoids were detected in urine in two studies where the subjects had been exposed to high smoke levels. In studies conducted under less extreme conditions no urine samples were positive for more than a few hours after exposure and the measured cannabinoid levels were low.


CONCLUSIONS
When cannabinoids are detected in urine with conventional methods and limits of quantification the results are commensurate with active smoking.
Westin
Andreas Austgulen
AA
Avdeling for klinisk farmakologi St. Olavs hospital 7006 Trondheim. andreas.westin@legemidler.no
Slørdal
Lars
L
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
D002186:Cannabinoids; D012906:Smoke