Anxious about an impending drug test? You’re not alone: millions of people each year take to Google seeking out help in passing drug tests for a variety of reasons. Marijuana is now more popular than ever, but this has only increased the number of employers who drug test for pot. Though some states, including New Jersey, no longer permit employers to fire medical marijuana patients for testing positive on a drug test for weed, workers in most other states are not so fortunate.
Many people think the only way to pass a drug test is to cheat by using fake urine or sketchy cover-up products and drinks. However, we urge all our readers who need help passing a drug test to read this article and realize that you can pass a drug test for weed naturally (without cheating) by fully detoxing your body. The three primary ways to “try” cheating a drug test are Dilution, Substitution, and Adulteration. None of these have a strong record of being effective methods to cheat a drug test and could put you in hot water if you’re caught, depending on the job.
What Shows up on a 7 Panel Drug Test?
A standard 7 panel drug test is called so because it consists of testing the participant for these 7 substances :
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- PCP
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Barbiturates
How Will the Lab Know If I Use Someone Else’s Urine?
Today, lab tests measure specific gravity, pH, creatinine levels, and temperature for determining “positive” and “negative” results – again, more accurately than ever. Lab tests today can also often indicate that the sample is not actually from the purported donor in such instances of urine that has been swapped out for another’s. In one undeniably humorous case, a man substituted his own sample with that of his wife’s whereupon the specimen failed the temperature test, and subsequent lab testing indicated “he” was pregnant.
Will the Lab Be Able to Tell if I Tampered With My Urine Sample?
Labs have greatly improved their methods in detecting those specimens that have been tampered with by the donor. Cheating on drug tests by “adulterating” the urine samples, or altering the final sample by changing its concentration, is a common practice that marijuana users employ to hide the presence of THC in their system. Previously, some cannabis enthusiasts have been able to pass a drug test by using one of these strategies, so it certainly HAS been done before. Despite this victory lap for stoners, new and advanced lab technology is now much better equipped to detect drugs in previous samples that were altered or otherwise untestable.
Adulterated samples will throw pH levels off or exhibit substances not normally found in urine. In cases where a definite positive or negative result cannot be determined, donors may be required to resubmit a sample under “direct observation” supervision. New lab testing methods now easily determine the presence of nitrites, such is the masking agents found in many products sold online and head shops. Once nitrites are detected, further testing removes the masking effect to discover which drugs are present. Laboratories are constantly updating testing methods as new top adulterant products enter the market. Don’t worry though, they won’t be able to tell what your favorite strain is, it’s all still THC.
What to Know About the Drug Test Collection Site
While lab technology can now identify adulterated samples and other attempts at cheating drug tests, safeguards also exist at the urine specimen collection site, whether it’s at a clinic or at the job-site. Onsite specimen collections are the most effective way to catch would-be cheaters. Cheating drug tests has caused more and more companies to have a trained Drug Test Technician (DTT) visit their offices, warehouse, manufacturing plants, or other sites “onsite”. They have the drug test urine specimen collections performed right there as a DTT considers a properly-performed drug test collection their top priority. This includes taking precautions necessary to ensure that the donor (employee) is not attempting to either substitute or adulterate their specimen.
In the case of “onsite” collections, the donor is routinely required to report immediately and directly to the Drug Test Technician (DTT) when notified of a drug test. The donor is then prohibited from taking a second to “go the the locker room”, “run down the hall”, or “get something out of the car” as these are oft used ploys to enable an individual to retrieve adulterants or substitutes before their drug test.
Is Failing a Drug Test Illegal and What’s the Penalty for Cheating on a Drug Test?
No, you are not breaking any laws by merely testing positive on a pre-employment drug screening, though potential new-hires or employees can still face consequences for failing a drug test from their employer. In specific circumstances, your job description may require your employer to notify the DMV, DOT, or unemployment agencies of test results, but not law enforcement agencies.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT aka, “DOT”) regulations, DOT- employees whose sample seem to have been tampered with are automatically reported as “positive.” They must also be immediately removed by their employer. Non-DOT employees are not subject to the same strict protocol, however employees testing positive on a drug test may still be released from their duties depending on the employer’s company drug policy.
This year, approximately 2,800,000 drug test results will come back from the lab as “positive”. A greater percentage of those this year than last year will be from cheaters who tried to “pass” and were unsuccessful. The individual trying to cheat the drug test will likely be caught during either the specimen collection process or they will be discovered by the lab. For those trying to get really crafty, the lab will also possibly be able to tell if you are using synthetic urine to pass a DOT drug test, so be mindful of this. As specimen collection procedures and lab analysis technology improves, the percentage of people who are caught trying to beat a drug test will likely continue to grow.
What’s the Difference Between DOT and Non DOT Drug Test?
If you’re a pilot, a truck driver, or a train conductor, the DOT governs your drug testing. Non-DOT drug testing applies to workers in all other industries.
DOT drug tests require laboratory testing (49 CFR Part 40 Subpart F) for the following five classes of drugs:
- Marijuana.
- Cocaine.
- Opiates – opium and codeine derivatives.
- Amphetamines and methamphetamines.
- Phencyclidine – PCP.
How Long Do You Need to Be Clean to Pass a Urine Drug Test?
If you have not yet been scheduled for the drug test, you likely have a workable amount of time before you’re made to submit your specimen for examination. Your mileage may vary if you’re trying to predict how much time you need to totally clear cannabis compounds out of your system, but find attached below a guide showing how long THC and CBD may be present in your system:
- 2 to 3 days after last consumption for occasional consumers of marijuana
- 5 to 10 days for more frequent toking (smoke once every day or every other day).
- 14 to 30 days for heavier smokers (1 joint per day +).
- Up to 40-60 days for some chronic indulgence (several joints daily).
- 1 to 5 days when the drug is ingested (infusion, cake, etc.).
How Do I Find Out the Results of My Drug Test?
Negative results are usually received within 24 hours. A screening that is non-negative will require further testing and may take from a few days up to one week. If the initial screen is negative, a medical review officer (MRO) will typically contact the employer with the results.
Companies are in no legal obligation to report a failed drug test to the police. In fact, to do so would in most cases be an illegal act itself. So fret not over getting charged if you have a surprise drug test.
The consequences for a failed drug test can include termination and loss of unemployment benefits, so it is important to get on a detox as soon as you hear about a drug test.
Bottom line: It’s Not Worth it to Try and Cheat a Drug Test
If it really is that important to you to get that job or keep that job, you can either commit to being drug-free or do full detox of the body naturally by drinking water, staying in shape, and eating extra green vegetables
Removing marijuana from your system naturally is likely to be your best option here. We hope the information above has helped you understand why cheating on a drug test is not the brightest idea considering how difficult it has become recently to fool advanced testing procedures. We strongly urge you not to buy products from shady online businesses with no accreditation and not risk your time, money, job on unproven drug cleansing products.
Additional Readings on Drug Testing for Cannabis
The Weed Blog is a place to find reviews of certain top strains of cannabis, to online news resources regarding the legalization of marijuana. We are committed to helping you find valuable information about cannabis on our website. With the laws of marijuana constantly changing, learn about the latest laws here. Otherwise, consider these other top-tier articles regarding cannabis
