Citation

Arkell TR, Kevin R, Stuart J, Lintzeris N, Haber P, Ramaekers JG, McGregor IS. Drug Test. Anal. 2019; 11(10): 1486-1497.

Affiliation

The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/dta.2687

PMID

31442003

Abstract

Point-of-collection testing (POCT) for Δ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid is increasingly used to detect driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). However, previous studies have questioned the reliability and accuracy of two commonly used POCT devices, the Securetec DrugWipe® 5s (DW5s) and Dräger DrugTest® 5000 (DT5000). In the current placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover study we used LC-MS/MS to accurately quantify cannabinoid concentrations in the oral fluid of fourteen participants at various timepoints (10, 60, 120 and 180 mins) following vaporization of 125 mg of THC-dominant (11% THC; <1% CBD), THC/CBD equivalent (11% THC; 11% CBD) and placebo (<1% THC; <1% CBD) cannabis. At each timepoint, oral fluid was also screened using the DW5s (10 ng/mL THC cut-off) and DT5000 (10 ng/mL THC cut-off). LC-MS/MS analysis showed peak oral fluid THC concentrations at the 10 min timepoint with a rapid decline thereafter. This trajectory did not differ with THC dominant and THC/CBD equivalent cannabis. With a 10 ng/mL confirmatory cut-off, 5% of DW5s test results were false positives and 16% false negatives. For the DT5000, 10% of test results were false positives and 9% false negatives. Neither the DW5s nor the DT5000 demonstrated the recommended >80% sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Accuracy was lowest at 60 min, when THC concentrations were often close to the screening cut-off (10 ng/mL). POCT devices can be useful tools in detecting recent cannabis use; however, limitations should be noted, and confirmatory LC-MS/MS quantification of results is strongly advisable.


Keyword: Cannabis impaired driving


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Language: en

Keywords

CBD; THC; cannabis; oral fluid; point-of-collecting testing