Terpenes are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found widely across the plant kingdom, contributing to the distinct scents and flavors of many plants, including fruits, herbs, and cannabis. This article clarifies common questions regarding terpenes and their detection in drug screenings.
Understanding Terpenes
Terpenes are organic compounds responsible for the characteristic aromas of various plants, from the fresh scent of pine to the citrusy smell of oranges and the earthy notes of many herbs. They are hydrocarbons, composed solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, and are built from repeating isoprene units. Plants produce terpenes for various functions, including attracting pollinators and acting as a natural defense mechanism against predators and infectious germs.
Common examples include limonene, which gives citrus fruits their aroma, myrcene found in hops, and pinene, which contributes to the scent of pine trees. Over 30,000 different terpene compounds exist in nature, each with a unique chemical structure. While they contribute to the sensory experience of plants, terpenes are distinct from cannabinoids, another class of compounds found in plants like cannabis.
How Drug Tests Identify Substances
Standard drug tests detect specific substances or their metabolites in the body. For cannabis, these tests primarily target tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for psychoactive effects, or its non-psychoactive metabolites. The main metabolite sought in cannabis drug tests is 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH).
Drug tests utilize various biological samples, including urine, blood, hair, and saliva, each with different detection windows. Urine tests are a common method, with detection times ranging from a few days to over a month depending on usage frequency. Blood tests detect recent use, while hair tests can show cannabis use for up to 90 days.
Terpenes and THC: The Crucial Difference
Terpenes are chemically distinct from THC and other cannabinoids. While often found together in the cannabis plant, terpenes do not contain THC and are not psychoactive. Drug tests are specifically configured to identify THC and its metabolites, not terpenes. There is no reason for drug tests to target terpenes, nor are there incentives to develop such tests, because terpenes are not considered controlled substances.
Product Types and Testing Outcomes
The likelihood of a positive drug test result from consuming terpene-containing products depends on the product’s cannabinoid content, specifically its THC levels. Products are often categorized by their cannabinoid profiles: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
Full-spectrum products contain all compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant, including terpenes and trace amounts of THC, typically up to the federally legal limit of 0.3%. While this small amount of THC is generally not enough to cause intoxication, consistent use, especially at higher doses, can lead to the accumulation of THC metabolites, potentially resulting in a positive drug test.
Broad-spectrum products contain multiple cannabinoids and terpenes but have had all detectable THC removed, significantly reducing the risk of a positive test. CBD isolate products contain only CBD, with no other cannabinoids or terpenes, and should not cause a positive drug test for THC.
Several factors influence whether THC from full-spectrum products might trigger a positive test. These include the sensitivity of the specific drug test, the amount and frequency of the product consumed, an individual’s metabolism, body mass, and hydration levels. Even legal hemp-derived full-spectrum products carry a slight risk of a positive test due to their trace THC content.