Cannabinoid Concentration in Urine (Quantitative)
This test measures the presence of cannabinoids, the active compounds found in marijuana, in your urine. It helps assess recent marijuana use.
["Detects recent marijuana exposure through urine samples."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 91048-9
- Short code
- CANNT
- Synonyms
- Cannabinoids Tiss Ql Scn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (no anticoagulant) or serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 10
- Ref high
- 15
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- screen
- CPT
- 80307
- SNOMED
- 440087005
- Specimen volume
- 5-10 mL of whole blood yielding 2-4 mL serum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days for confirmation testing
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if they suspect recent marijuana use, especially for employment screening, legal reasons, or monitoring substance use during treatment. It can also be part of broader substance abuse evaluations.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You’ll provide a urine sample in a sterile container. If you’re taking certain medications or have specific health conditions, let your provider know to ensure accurate results.
What the Test Results Mean
Results indicate whether cannabinoids were detected in your urine. Positive results suggest recent marijuana use, typically within days to weeks, depending on metabolism. Negative results mean no detectable cannabinoids were found in this sample.
Common Causes of Positive Results
A positive test result can occur from recent marijuana use, including smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles. Cannabinoids can linger in urine for varying lengths of time depending on frequency and amount of use.
Reference range
Negative (cutoff: 50 ng/mL for screen; 10-15 ng/mL for confirmatory testing)N/A
No fasting required. Specimen collection should be performed with chain-of-custody documentation if for forensic or employment purposes. Patient should be informed of testing purpose and consent obtained per institutional policy.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test plays a key role in identifying substance use disorders, guiding treatment decisions, and ensuring workplace safety. It can also support legal proceedings or compliance with medical recommendations. However, results should always be interpreted alongside clinical context and patient history.
Short name
Urine Cannabinoid Test
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Can I use marijuana before this test if I’m concerned about false negatives?
What if my test results are positive but I didn’t use marijuana recently?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy