Marijuana excretion

In driving-related court cases, it is often difficult to prove impairment, since even if the marijuana was used hours or days earlier, the metabolites are still being released from fat cells and excreted in urine. Defense arguments in cases with positive random urine tests include use of hemp seed oil, unknowingly ingesting marijuana-laced foods, or exposure to secondhand smoke. The latter argument is very dependent on the concentration of metabolite in urine. 

If it is not excreted effectively it will remain in the blood and attack the lungs. Paraquat has been used to spray illegal marijuana fields both within and outside of the U.S. 

Metabolism is the major route of elimination of THC from the body as little is excreted unchanged. In humans, over 20 metabolites have been identified in urine and feces 26 Metabolism in humans involves allylic oxidation, epoxidation, aliphatic oxidation, decarboxylation, and conjugation. The two monohydroxy metabolites (Figure 4.7) 11-hydroxy (OH)-THC and 8-beta-hydroxy THC are active, with the former exhibiting similar activity and disposition to THC, while the latter is less potent. Plasma concentrations of 11-OH-THC are typically <10% of the THC concentration after marijuana smoking. Two additional hydroxy compounds have been identified, namely, 8-alpha-hydroxy-THC and 8,11-dihydroxy-THC, and are believed to be devoid of THC-like activity. Oxidation of 11-OH-THC produces the inactive metabolite, ll-nor-9-carboxy-THC, or THC-COOH. This metabolite may be conjugated with glucuronic acid and is excreted in substantial amounts in the urine. 

Sinsemilla There are male and female marijuana plants. The flowers of the female plant contain the highest concentration of TF1C. Growers have learned that if the female plants are not allowed to be pollinated, the flowers cluster and excrete greater quantities of resin. Marijuana grown in this fashion is called Sinsemilla, which means no seeds. ... 

Knudson, M., Non-users test positive, fuel drug screening furor, Baltimore Sun, Nov. 11,1986, p. 2F. Cone, E. J. and Johnson, R. E., Contact highs and urinary cannabinoid excretion after passive exposure to marijuana smoke, Clin. Pharmacol. Ther., 40, 247,1986. 

We begin this chapter with a historical overview of marijuana and its use through the centuries. This is followed by a section on the epidemiology of current marijuana use. Next we provide information on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion mechanisms of action and tolerance and dependence. Follow ing this is an overview of the medical and p-sychotherapeutic uses of marijuana. The chapter s final sections concern the physical, psychological, and social/environmental effects of marijuana. 

Drugs of abuse, like cocaine and heroin, are excreted in breast milk in amounts that may be clinically effective such exposure is formally contraindicated during breastfeeding. Although no adverse effects in the infant have been reported in the case of mothers using marijuana, caution should be exercised. 

Huestis MA> Cone EJ Dijfferentiating new marijuana use from residual drug excretion in occasional marijuana users. J Anal Toxicol 1998 22 445-54. 

Keywords Cannabinoids Pharmacokinetics Tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabidiol Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion Interpretation Oral fluid Sweat Hair Plasma Urine Alternate matrix Marijuana... 

Huestis MA, Mitchell JM, Cone EJ (1996) Urinary excretion profiles of ll-nor-9-carboxy-A9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans after single smoked doses of marijuana. J Anal Toxicol 20 441-452... 

Johansson E, Halidin MM (1989) Urinary excretion half-life of delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol -7-oic acid in heavy marijuana users after smoking. J Anal Toxicol 13 218-223... 

Tables 18.1,18.2, and 18.3 hst concentration measurements madeatdiEferenttimes during regular classes, final exams, and the summer when few students were present, respectively. A -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive compound in marijuana. THC is rapidly oxidized to 11-hydroxy THC and then to ll-nor-9-carboxy-A -THC, which is the main metabolite excreted. The main metabolic route of cocaine involves the hydrolysis of ester linkages to produce benzoylecgonine (BE). 6-Acetylmorphine is the main specific metabolite of heroin (3,6-diacetylmorphine). Codeine is O3 -methylmorphine. Morphine-3 p-glucuronide is a metabolite formed in vivo by the attachment of a sngar to the O3 oxygen, which facilitates elimination of morphine from the body. All three of these morphine-based derivatives are narcotics. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-metltylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDA) are amphetamine derivatives that are commonly referred to as ecstasy.

Confirming earlier work on ingested marijuana, smoked cannabis has been found to produce little changes in the urinary excretion of epinephrine and NE but decreases VMA excretion by from baseline value at 2 hrs. in humans . 

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