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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy > Drug Testing
Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 11/11/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have been given a job offer starting around May. This offer is contingent upon passing a hair drug test, and I am supposed to be subletting an apartment with a frequent marijuana user. How easy is it to test positive for marijuana from second hand smoke. Other than if I were to actually inhale the smoke second hand, can it also be absorbed through the hair, causing a false positive? Should I look for another place to live?
Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Bryan,
When you are with a person who smokes marijuana, you are a passive smoker of the drug. The drug enters your body through the breath and then it reaches the hair follicles.
The chance that you will test positive after passive smoking is high. Marijuana is not absorbed through the scalp or the hair directly, it goes through your body. My advice is that you keep away from passive smoking if you want to be sure to pass a hair follicle test.
Ravi Ghooi
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your answer.. one last question.
Once you quit smoking marijuana, how long does it take for your blood stream to be clean so that no more toxins are deposited in your hair follicles. I am under the impression of about 5-10 days, but does that vary based on usage?
Thanks again
ANSWER: Hi Bryan,
Metabolites of marijuana (THC and other derivatives) can be detected in urine for over a month after the last exposure. When hair testing is done it can be detected for almost three months. So this is the right time to make changes that keep you totally free from marijuana.
Best wishes
Ravi Ghooi
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I understand that, what I am wondering however is whether this 3 month estimate takes into account the amount of time it takes for your blood stream to be clean. It is my understanding that new hair will not come in without toxins until the blood stream is clean of any toxins because it is the blood stream that nourishes the hair follicle. Does this mean it takes a month for your blood stream to be clean, and then from there another 3 months for clean hair to grow out. (Assuming 0.5 in/month and 1.5 in necessary for a test) Does this make the question more clear?
Thanks again!
Answer
Hi Bryan,
You are right. Within one month after the last intake of the drug, the drug leaves the body totaly. A small amount of the drug enters the follicle. This can be detected.From the follicle it enters it enters the hair, as the hair grows at the rate stated by you. The drug moves from the follicle to the hair, and by about three months the hair also becomes clean. That is the reason why I suggested that you move into a clean environment right now so by May next year you are going to test clean.
Ravi Ghooi
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