Cannabinoid Urine Drug Screen (Mass Concentration)
This test checks for the presence of cannabinoids, the active compounds found in marijuana, in your urine. It helps determine if you’ve recently used cannabis.
["A urine test for marijuana use, often used for pre-employment, legal, or medical screening."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 26760-9
- Short code
- CANNU
- Synonyms
- Cannabinoids Ur-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof urine specimen container without preservatives. For chain-of-custody testing, use tamper-evident container with temperature strip.
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 1
- Ref high
- 3
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunoassay screening with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) confirmation
- CPT
- 80307
- SNOMED
- 442380005
- Specimen volume
- 30-60 mL random urine specimen; minimum 10 mL required
- Stability
- Room temperature: up to 48 hours. Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 7 days. Frozen (-20°C): up to 30 days for confirmatory testing. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Doctors or employers may order this test to screen for recent marijuana use, especially in workplaces where drug-free policies apply. It can also be part of medical evaluations for conditions like epilepsy or PTSD where cannabis use is a concern.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll likely be asked to provide a urine sample in a sterile container. Follow any specific instructions your provider gives, such as fasting or avoiding certain medications, though these are rare for this test. Bring any medications you’re currently taking to discuss with your healthcare provider.
What the Test Results Mean
If cannabinoids are detected, it means you’ve recently used marijuana. The results are qualitative (yes/no) rather than quantitative, so they don’t show how much was used or for how long. False positives can rarely occur with other substances, so confirmatory testing may be needed.
Common Reasons for Testing
This test is commonly used for pre-employment drug screens, legal purposes (e.g., for driving under influence investigations), or as part of medical evaluations where cannabis use is a factor in treatment decisions.
Reference range
Negative: <50 ng/mL (screening cutoff). Positive cutoff for confirmation: 15 ng/mL. Detection window varies with frequency of use: single use 1-3 days, chronic heavy use up to 30+ days.N/A
No fasting required. Patients should be informed that adulteration of urine specimen (dilution, substitution, or addition of foreign substances) may invalidate results. Observed collection may be required for forensic or workplace testing.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Cannabinoid Urine Test
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get test results?
Can I drink water before this test?
What if I have a false positive?
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