By Ryan Najjar Reviewed by: Gloria Payá


Despite the fact that legal weed is gaining significant traction, you'll still see employers handing out drug tests for THC on the regular. As these have continued, new methods of testing have been introduced to the masses. Specifically, saliva testing has become more and more accepted.

These tests are fairly new, and very different from the standard urine drug test. Some believe they’re more accurate, but others say they’re much easier to pass. Either way, it’s a quick, cheap, and easy testing method, so you can expect to see more of it in the workplace. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know how saliva tests work and what you can do to minimise your chances of failing.

HOW DO SALIVA DRUG TESTS WORK?

One of the most notable differences between saliva drug tests and the standard urine test is that they detect different compounds. Urine tests look for 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), a metabolite produced when Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is broken down in the body.

A saliva test, however, screens for the THC itself, or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. After you smoke, THC can linger in your mouth for some time, and if you smoke close to test time, this can mean trouble.

HOW LONG CAN THC BE DETECTED IN SALIVA?

The good thing, though, is that THC doesn't last too long in saliva. For occasional smokers, it'll only take about three days for any trace of THC to fade away. If you're a chronic smoker, this maximum time span stretches to about a month.

Compared to urine tests, this time frame is quite short. To put things into context, depending on your body type and how often you smoke, THC-COOH can be found in urine well over 30 days after consumption. In fact, for chronic smokers, this period of detection can stretch to around double that.

WHICH JOBS TEST SALIVA FOR THC?

As you venture through the job market, it's important to remember that drug tests are standard at many major companies. If you're in charge of heavy machinery, sensitive information, or otherwise important assets, your employer will want to know you'll be doing the job safely. Yes, weed is legal, and it's safer than many other drugs out there, but it's still a drug. Use and overuse can still affect one's job performance and create significant risk in certain situations.

Virtually any government job will have you tested before hiring, and likely periodically afterward. Jobs in the healthcare industry are also likely to drug test before and after hiring, especially if you're dealing with patients or handling medicine. You can also expect to be tested if you're working in the service or retail industries. This, however, can vary depending on where you're working or what sort of position you're after.

THC Drug test

DO SALIVA DRUG TESTS CHECK FOR CBD?

Thankfully, cannabidiol (CBD) is not even tested for in the United States or Europe since it’s a non-psychoactive component. There is currently no standard for measuring quantities of CBD in the body. Furthermore, hemp-based CBD products available on the market should legally contain no more than 0.2/0.3% THC in them anyway. So, it would be very unlikely for a drug test to detect THC in your system if you are solely a CBD user.

If you’re smoking a high-CBD strain, though, the amount of THC in those varieties varies greatly. Depending on how much you smoke (along with many other considerations), it’s possible to fail a THC urine test, and possibly a saliva one as well. There simply aren’t enough studies or anecdotal trials available yet to know for sure.

WHICH FACTORS AFFECT A SALIVA DRUG TEST?

The cut-off guidelines of the specific test

In the United States, a typical urine and saliva test uses a cut-off point of 50ng/ml for THC-COOH and THC, respectively.

How much you've smoked

As we mentioned before, if you only smoke occasionally, you'll need just a few days for THC to be cleared from your saliva. More consistent smokers, however, might see traces linger in their mouth for weeks after their last smoke session.

How long ago you smoked

Even if you were smoking every day, a month-long break should take care of the issue. If the test is happening the day after the smoke session, though, even the most occasional of tokers should worry.

Potency of the strain

The strength of whatever you're smoking will affect how quickly the THC leaves your saliva. Hitting a mid-potency strain won't leave as much of a trace as dabbing a concentrate would. The more THC in the product, the more THC in your mouth when you smoke it.

Your oral hygiene

If you're the type to be adamant about brushing your teeth three times a day, you're in luck when the time comes for a swab test. As long as you regularly brush your teeth and use mouthwash, even chronic smokers can expect to be trace-free within a couple weeks.

HOW TO PASS A SALIVA TEST FOR THC

Supporters of this testing method believe it’s more accurate, but many have found ways to skirt through their saliva screening.

Drug test

HOW CAN YOU GET CLEAN FASTER?

There is no foolproof way to cheat a drug test, but there are different methods that work for different people. So trying at least one, or maybe a combination of suggestions, can help you too. If you have a planned test coming up, the first thing you should do is quit smoking. It’s also helpful to brush your teeth diligently, three times a day, for a couple days beforehand, while paying extra close attention to the gums, cheeks, and tongue. Also, stay hydrated; that’s good for you regardless of whether you have an upcoming drug test or not.

If you’re short on time, try eating a decent-sized meal of high-fat foods. Remember, fat cells absorb and store THC. Then, shortly before your test, you could try rinsing your mouth out with lemon juice, vinegar, or a hydrogen peroxide solution (0.3%). There are also commercial products you can buy to mask the THC in your saliva, but these only work for 30 minutes maximum. Hopefully, that’s all the time you need, but it’s definitely something worth noting.

  • QUIT SMOKING

If you have a planned test coming up, the first thing you should do is quit smoking. Yes, weed is pretty great, but you need to provide for yourself, and you can't let weed get in the way of that. Just take a break till test day. You'll have plenty of money to buy good weed when you have the job.

  • BRUSH YOUR TEETH

As we mentioned before, oral hygiene is key. Specifically, it’s helpful to brush your teeth diligently, three times a day, for a couple days beforehand. You'll want to be paying extra close attention to the gums, cheeks, and tongue. Mouthwash should help too, especially in those hard-to-reach spots.

  • HIGH-FAT FOODS

If you’re short on time, try eating a decent-sized meal of high-fat foods. Remember, fat cells absorb and store THC. If you were looking for an excuse to get a plate of fried chicken with gravy, now's your chance!

  • RINSE

Shortly before your test, you could try rinsing your mouth out with lemon juice or vinegar. This will only really help in the sense that it dilutes your saliva, but it's not bad as a last-resort strategy.

SALIVA DRUG TESTING FOR THC: FINAL THOUGHTS

Even though these new saliva tests are somewhat uncharted territory, you can rest assured that they’re easier to pass than your standard urine test. And since these tests are still woefully unreliable, it’s possible that you could pass a saliva screening just hours after you smoked (yes, it has happened before). If you do happen to fail, you might even be able to negotiate a retest on the grounds that this method is still not very regulated.

Have you encountered a saliva test, either for employment or at a police checkpoint? How did it work out? We’d love to hear from you!

Promoting Responsible Cannabis UseRQS emphasizes the importance of responsible cannabis consumption.

While many individuals use cannabis frequently without complications, some may be susceptible to developing adverse behaviours. We believe the herb should enhance one’s life, not hinder it.

Responsible use involves limiting consumption to adults only, refusing to operate cars or machinery while under the influence, and making an effort to resist abuse.

Stay Cultivated.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: