AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question Thank You for taking the time to read this, I have a boyfriend that was doing UA's in a community corrections facility. He admitted to use of marijuana in the past and was still showing positive when he went into the facility. During his time there he was not allowed out at all. He had 2 UA's (non-consecutive)come back with elevated levels. His case manager deemed it as new use. He maintains that he did not use and the levels fell rapidly each time afterwards. How can they tell it was new use and not just metabolites being excreted from fat cells? I did check with the lab that processed the samples and the said they only do screening not conformation by GC/MS, without that test would one be able to determine the difference?
Answer Dear Krisen
As you know already marijuana metabolites can be stored in the fat cells and released over a long period of time, sometimes up to 6 months. I know of know way to determine recent use as oppoed to past use unless the levels of THC are rising rapidly. Also GC or MS are the only ways to quantify and qualify exactly what the amount is and the nature of the metabolites. I would say your assumptions are correct.
