US Oks Test for Detecting Marijuana in Hair

Reuters ^ | 5/7/2

[NativeNewYorker]

WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - A new test that detects marijuana's active ingredient in human hair has won clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) (FDA), the test's manufacturer, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Psychemedics Corp., said on Monday.

Psychemedics is a publicly traded testing laboratory, whose clients include more than 2,200 corporations, as well as five of the nation's largest police departments and a number of schools and Federal Reserve (news - web sites) banks, the company said.

"Psychemedics is the only company to have any FDA-cleared hair test and we now have them in all the major drugs of abuse categories," noted CEO Ray Kubacki in a statement. Previously, the firm obtained US clearances to market tests for opiates, PCP, cocaine and methamphetamine/ecstasy.

Psychemedics Senior Vice President William Thistle told Reuters Health that the laboratory has been performing a "home brew" version of the test for the last 12 to 14 years, but that the FDA clearance is expected to increase acceptance of the product.

He said the hair test is more effective than present FDA-approved urine tests, allowing for the detection of drugs used within a 3-month window, compared with the 3-day window for urine tests.

Thistle said other advantages include the ability to keep the individual being tested under surveillance while the sample is taken, minimizing the risk of sample contamination or switching.

[NativeNewYorker]

Finally, a reason to be glad I'm nearly bald. :)

[hauerf]

What a crock!

[balrog666]

I better go shampoo!

[mlo]

US Oks Test for Detecting Marijuana in Hair

I guess I better find a new place for my stash!

[galt-jw]

oh, did you think it was YOUR hair? (but you are free). they certainly will go to any means to control consciousness, wont they? first urine, blood, and now hair, why not genetic info, or is this a way to gain genetic info (yep, they id criminals with hair samples)...wonder why....must be trying to stop something, ah, the times they are a-changin'.

[Fish out of Water]

index bump

[galt-jw]

incidentally, there are products available which clean the hair of these substances, according to the mfr. do a search with detoxifier, hair or hair analysis. booya.

[Fish out of Water]

So if you use a hempseed herbal shampoo you aren't going to pass this test even if you never smoked it.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"incidentally, there are products available which clean the hair of these substances, according to the mfr. do a search with detoxifier, hair or hair analysis. booya.

Expensive but effective...

[meyer]

I guess I better find a new place for my stash!

I guess that Traficant's little trick has been discovered. That man could cultivate marijuana in his 'do.

[Senator Pardek]

Thistle said other advantages include the ability to keep the individual being tested under surveillance while the sample is taken, minimizing the risk of sample contamination or switching.

Why? They watch me when I have to give a urine sample at my IT job for a gay porn site.

Hey, wait a minute!

[riley1992]

That head of hair of yours will be the downfall of you yet.

[Senator Pardek]

I always thought they could detect it, albeit theoretically, right down to the (split) ends. It's getting kinda scary. I'm not so worried about private enterprise, but imagine if it becomes legal for your hair to be brought in as evidence in a trial?

"So, is it true you smoked pot in 1996?"

[Senator Pardek]

LOL - you're right. See #13.

[sheik yerbouty]

We have terrorist attacks on America and its allies, and the bureaucrats are thinking up new ways to deal with with(compared to terrorism) nonsense.

[galt-jw]

of course, but the genetic implication is the most pertinent impact....the drug business would serve well as a cover "for the common good, etc"

[coloradan]

"In an unrelated story, police are mystified at the rise in popularity of clean-shaven heads at stoner parties, which used to be havens for long-haired or even dreadlocked hippies."

[Pilsner]

Labs have been able to do this sort of test for years, I guess it was just not FDA approved.

I've had any number of attorneys pitch me with the "it wasn't my client's dope, he doesn't use it, he just happened to be the wrong place at the wrong time" defense. I offer them a deal, have a hair sample of your client tested within 7 days, and if it shows no marihuana (that's how Texas law spells it) I'll dismiss the charges. The attorney goes back to his "non drug using client" with the offer. How many have accepted? None.

[oceanperch]

They will take it from your other head of hair.

[NativeNewYorker]

You have the right to remain silent....OUCH!