Are THC (Marijuana) Breathalyzers on the Horizon?

Posted: August 30, 2022

Employment drug testing specialists are constantly searching for more effective ways to measure the amount of active THC (marijuana) in someone’s system. Introducing…the THC (marijuana) breathalyzer.

Do THC (marijuana) breathalyzers work?

It has been confirmed that THC can be detected in a person’s breath for up to three hours after smoking marijuana but beyond that time, the THC levels drop to virtually undetectable levels. The THC (marijuana) breathalyzer works within this three-hour timeframe, which is crucial since studies have shown this is when people are the most likely to be impaired.

Urinalysis drug tests do not test for active THC, the molecule in marijuana that makes someone “high,” so test results only reveal the remnants of the active molecule, which can exist in someone’s body for many weeks. Saliva, hair, and blood tests also detect THC in the system going back several days, weeks or months.

THC (marijuana) breathalyzers provide a more scientific test to detect active levels of THC. Since many of our clients have asked about the status of the THC breathalyzers, here is a rundown of what we know so far:

• The clinical trials for THC (Marijuana) breathalyzers have been completed at the University of California – San Francisco.
• When will THC (marijuana) breathalyzers be available? While we don’t have an exact ETA, we anticipate that several of our collection sites will have this product available by the end of the year.
• What is the cost? We do not know the cost of this product yet but will keep you updated.
• There are numerous devices in various stages of development.

We will continue to update our clients on developments on THC (marijuana) breathalyzers, so stay tuned. If you have questions on this, or regarding employment drug testing in general, please contact our Client Service Ninjas at (877) 360-4636.