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Pharmacokinetics is defined as the process by which a drug is
absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. For purposes
of DUID, it is most important to understand how THC (and in some cases,
11-OH-THC) is absorbed and metabolized in the bloodstream, although
references to the detection of THC and its inactive metabolite THC-COOH in
other matrices (hair, saliva, urine) are also occasionally referenced below.
In my work, I've found several of these references to be
invaluable.
Notes
THC = delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (parent
drug)
11-0H-THC = 11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (active
metabolite, some people believe this to be more psychoactive than
THC)
THC-CCOH = 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(inactive metabolite, most notable for its lingering presence in
urine)
Whole blood 3plasma2 versus blood 3serum2 --Most investigators
look at THC/blood levels, though a handful (often in Europe) separately look
at THC/blood 3serum2 levels. Blood and serum are not identical. See: http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijgp/vol1n2/plasma.xml).As a rule of thumb, 1 ng/ml THC in whole blood 3plasma2 generally equates to
2
ng/ml in blood 3serum2
Paul Armentano
Senior Policy Analyst
NORML | NORML Foundation
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