FAQ

What is Weedalizer™?

Weedalizer™ is an educational tool that helps responsible cannabis users understand the limits.

Delta-9-THC (THC) is the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis and detectable in oral fluid after smoking or vaping cannabis.Weedalizer™ is a pre-screening oral fluid test which detects recent use of cannabis with THC.

Is oral fluid the same as saliva?

Oral fluid, sometimes called “mixed saliva,” comes from three major and several minor salivary glands. Strictly speaking, oral fluid is the mixed saliva from the glands and other constituents present in the mouth. “Saliva” is the fluid collected from a specific salivary gland and is free from other materials.

Source: https://www.ncjrs.gov

What is a nanogram?

One nanogram is one billionth of a gram. A “ng/mL” stands for nanograms per milliliter. It is used by labs as a unit of measure of density for test results.

How does Cannabis affect you?

Cannabis impairment is different for each person. Cannabis impairment law is the same for everyone. Cannabis can cause impairment by:

• affecting motor skills;
• slowing reaction time;
• impairing short term memory and concentration;
• reducing the ability to make decisions quickly or handle unexpected events

Is this what the police in Canada are using?

Yes. The policy in Canada will be using a number of roadside tools to detect impairment and recent cannabis use. They will be using Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation and oral fluid drug screening equipment. Oral fluid testing has been selected as the method of roadside testing by the government of Canada, UK, and Australia. For roadside testing, 25 nanograms (ng) of THC per milliliter (mL) of oral fluid is the cut-off concentration set by the Drugs Driving Committee (DDC), a department of Canadian Society of Forensic Science.

Is there a penalty if I drive after smoking?

Yes. Even though you may not feel impaired, you can still be way OVER the limit and you should not drive or operate a vehicle. There are both federal and provincial penalties ranging from minimum $1,000 fine to 120 days in jail plus vehicle impoundment and license suspension. Learn the laws at dontbesorry.ca.

If my test result is UNDER can I drive?

No. Weedalizer™ cannot be used to determine whether you can safely operate a motor vehicle or heavy equipment or perform any work or recreational activities following use of cannabis. Positive results indicate only the presumptive presence of THC and do not indicate, or measure, intoxication or impairment. An UNDER test result does not mean, for example, that your physical or mental performance or judgment is unimpaired.

Why oral fluid?

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) is one of the many cannabinoids of cannabis that is detectable in oral fluid after smoking or vaping. Oral fluid tests answer the question: “Have you used cannabis in the last several hours?” They are designed to tell if someone has recently used cannabis but not whether that person uses cannabis more or less regularly. Urine tests answer the question: “Have you used cannabis in the past couple days or even weeks?” They are designed for background screening, which detects drug use over a longer period of time.

What is Δ9-THC?

When smoking or vaping cannabis delta-9-THC (THC), the main psychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis, is released in your oral fluid and bloodstream. This causes the "high"/"impaired" feeling. So, presence of THC in oral fluid indicates recent cannabis consumption (smoking or vaping). Weedalizer™ detects THC in the oral fluid. Take the test and see the results page to learn more.

What is the difference between delta-9-THC, 11-OH-THC, and THC-COOH?

Fresh cannabis contains THCA (THC Acid) which turns into Delta-9-THC (THC) after heating. Once THC is consumed (smoking, vaping, or edibles), the body metabolizes it into 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-THC) and then into THC-COOH ( 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC). 

The human body must change the Delta-9-THC in order to process it. The result of this transformation is 11-OH-THC, and then 11 THC-COOH. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/

How soon will Weedalizer™ detect cannabis in my oral fluid?

Weedalizer™ will detect cannabis in your oral fluid after 15 minutes of smoking or vaping.

The concentrations of THC in oral fluid are highest within 15 minutes to 2 hours after smoking, sometimes reaching over 1000 ng/mL. After 2 hours, the THC starts to dissipate and concentrations drop to reach under 25 nanogram over 4 to 6 hours. However, THC may linger in oral fluid of frequent consumers for longer periods of time. That being said, peaks of THC can mean recent use.  

Weedalizer™ can not detect impairment.  

How long does THC stay in my oral fluid?

THC concentrations in oral fluid are highest within the first 2 hours, reaching over 1000 nanograms or more depending on method of consumption, concentration of THC, amount consumed, and many other factors. 

After 2 hours the THC concentrations dissipate and drop over the following hours. For smoking and vaping, the THC levels should be under 25 nanograms 4-6 hours after smoking for most users. 

It is important to note that THC is fat soluble and can be processed differently by each person. Many factors such as weight, gender, frequency of use, concentrations of THC and forms of consumption can impact results for each person. 

Frequent users can have THC in their oral fluid for over 8 hours after use. This is due to the fact that THC is stored in the body fat and released at later times.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15516285

What is the shelf life of the test I ordered?

All of our tests have an average shelf life of 12-18 months.

Can I keep Weedalizer™ in the car?

No. Store Weedalizer™ at 4°C-30°C. Do not open pouch until ready to perform the assay and keep away from direct sunlight, moisture and heat

How do I understand the results?

OVER: Is a presumptive positive results when 1 line appears on the screen next to the (C) control indicator.

UNDER: Is a presumptive under result when 2 lines appear on the screen next to (C) control indicator AND (T) test indicator.

Invalid Results: When no line appears on the screen next to the control (C) indicator or no line at all. Repeat the test using a new device.

What does a faint test line indicate?

If there is any hint of a coloured line next to the T it should be considered an UNDER result. The most common cause for a faint T-line is that there is drug present in the sample, but not enough to trigger a positive result. The shade of the lines may very from test to test.

 

Does Weedalizer™ offer lab confirmation?

No, not at this time. Weedalizer™ provides only a qualitative, preliminary measurement of your THC level. To obtain confirmation of a presumptive positive result or measure intoxication or impairment, a more specific alternative method must be used. Clinical consideration and professional judgment should be applied to any drug of abuse test result.

Can I return a faulty product?

Given the nature of our product, we can not accept returns. However, we are happy to replace a faulty product. Exchanges are managed on a case by case basis. If you have a product with an "invalid" result, please email us at weedalizer@thercu.org with the following information:

• Photo of the product and its invalid result (NOTE: photo must be taken within 15 minutes after taking the test)
• Photo of the product packaging (front and back)
• Receipt of purchase
• Your mailing address

We will review the information and happy send a replacement to you. Shipping fees for the replacement product are to be paid by the customer.