urine screening for cannabis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Approximate duration of detectability of selected drugs in the urine (1,2)
| Substance | Duration of Detectability |
| amfetamines (amphetamines) | 48 hours |
| methamphetamine | 48 hours |
|
barbiturates (1) short-acting intermediate-acting long-acting |
24 hours 48-72 hours 7 days or more |
|
benzodiazepines (2) - ultra-short-acting (half-life 2 hours) e.g. midazolam - short-acting (half-life 2-6 hours) e.g. triazolam - intermediate acting (half-life 6-24 hours) e.g. temazepam, chlordiazepoxide - long-acting (half-life 24 hours) e.g. diazepam/nitrazepam |
12 hours 24 hours 2-5 days 7 days or more |
| Cocaine Metabolites | 2-3 days |
| Methadone (maintenance dosing) | 7-9 days (approximate) |
|
Codeine/Propoxyphene/Morphine (heroin is detected in the urine as the metabolite morphine) |
48 hours |
| norpropoxyphene (1) | 6-48 hours |
|
cannabinoids (marijuana) - single use - moderate use ( 3 times per week) - heavy use (daily) - chronic heavy use |
3-4 days 5-6 days 20 days up to 45 days |
| methaqualone (1) | 7 days or more |
| phencyclidine (PCP) (1) | 8 days (approximate) |
| Buprenorphine and metabolites | 8 days |
Reference:
- (1) adapted from Department of Health (1999). Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management, 25.
- (2) Department of Health (2007). Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management, 30.