Dear Mr. ********,

A test could be devised for oral fluids which will be based on the parent THC vs. THCV, not their metabolites. However, Marinol is in soft gelatin capsules that is swallowed and therefore no buccal contamination of the oral fluids with THC. So, to me, the presence of THC in oral fluids is an indication of marijuana use, unless the individual claims that he or she crushed the capsule in the mouth.

Thanks,

Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D., BCFE, BCFM

President

ElSohly Laboratories, Incorporated (ELI)

5 Industrial Park Drive

Oxford, MS 38655

Tel (662) 236-2609

Fax (662) 234-0253

http://www.elsohly.com

Can your lab tell the difference from natual THC and Marinol? I have an employee with a Marinol RX. Please any info will be helpfull. Thanks for your time.

George

Dear Mr. ********,

Yes, we have a test that can tell whether marijuana ingestion has taken place with or without Marinol. The cost of the test is $150.00/sample.

Should you need further information please let me know.

Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D., BCFE, BCFM

President

ElSohly Laboratories, Incorporated (ELI)

5 Industrial Park Drive

Oxford, MS 38655

Tel (662) 236-2609

Fax (662) 234-0253

http://www.elsohly.com

SO IT LOOKE LIKE ELSOHLY IS THE LAB THAT CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE. I HAVE EMAILE ELSOHLY AND ASKED THIS QUESTION. (I HAVE NOT GOT A REPLY AS OF YRT)

Dear Mr. Elsohly

Thank you for the fast reply to my Questions. I do have a few more questions for you. Our company is only set up for Saliva testing. Does your lab have a Saliva test that will distinguish Marinol from Natural Marijuana? Or does this test require a urine sample?

Again thank you for your time.

George

ElSohly is the only Lab I’ve found that runs the marinol distinguishing test…

Can I ask the way you found this info? Very interested.

I have done some of my own research on Marinol and saliva testing at the workplace. I have a Medical MJ card along with a Marinol prescription. For a long time Marinol used to be indistinguishable from natural MJ. Norml has updated the website and it reads:

One possible excuse for a positive marijuana test that sometimes works is a prescription for Marinol®, the FDA-approved synthetic marijuana pill that is currently available as a schedule 3 prescription drug. Marinol used to be indistinguishable from marijuana on both immunoassay and GCMS tests, creating a valid medical excuse for a false THC positive. However, some labs have begun to adopt a new technology that can distinguish Marinol from marijuana. Obnoxious as it may be for employers to fault employees for using marijuana instead of Marinol, use of Marinol can no longer be recommended as a technique for evading unfair drug tests.

Now this is good info and is not what I wanted to read. For good reason you can tell why I was concered. If they can now tell the differince my Marinol back up plan will not work and work. So this set me in high gear to look into my case.

I was able to lets say obtain the whole drug testing packet that my work uses. It is a Quest Diagnostics salive test.(TEST TO BE PREFOMED 38535N OSAP 6) This packet contained Pre paid FedEx postage to Van Nuys Ca. This packet also had the MRO phone Number along with a few other phone number for Quest.

I called the Number in Van Nuys Ca 818-376-6370 and was talking to receptionist. I told her my company needs to ask some questions and Marinol testing. She forward my call and I get a cooky guy. I aksed him if Quest Saliva testing can tell the differince from Marinol and Natual MJ? He said that there is no way in the world you can tell the difference. I told him that I have been doing some research and found out that there is a test but it is real expensive. He then told me I need to call back and talk to Dr. (I have his name but not sure if it okay to post it here) I then get the Dr extension number. (6370)

I call back in a hour and talk with the Dr. I told him I have a employee that has a Marinol precription and need to know if the Quest Saliva test could distinguish Marinol from Natual marijuana? The Quest Dr told me that there is no way posible to distingquish Marinol form Natual marijuana in a any Saliva test. I ask him if there was a test that does? He said a urin sample can detect the difference but Quest does not have the technoligy. He said they have to send the urin sample to only one Lab in the USA that Does that test. (Damm I forgot to ask what Lab) I Then asked the Dr if it was expensive? And he said it was. I ask him if he knew how much and he said he did not. I thanks him and hung up.

So what does this all meen to me?

I found out a few things. As long as my work uses Saliva testing they cannot distingquish Marinol form Natual marijuana. If I am ever tested I will not tell them about my Marinol at time of testing. I will never tell them about my medical MJ card. The best case senario is that the MRO calls me and ask about my Vicadin prescription. In which time I will tell the MRO about me Marinol prescription. Now if you do not have a Vicadin prescription or something like that the MRO might just go ahead and report to your work it was dirty. I do not think the MRO will call you if you are only positive for THC. In this case you are going to have to tell your work you have a Marinol prescription only. (Do not bring up your medical card if you have one.) If your work then wants to piss test you then you know they just found out what I have found out and are going after you. The good news is that you have time to clean up.

What will I do to save my ass if I get tested?

I have both the gum and mouthwash from my head shop that I will use first.( I only get tested if I hurt someone or myself) If that does not work I will tell them about my Marinol use and hope for the best.

Also it will help to have a Vicadin or other type prescription like that. This should get the MRO to call you at least. The key here is to get the MRO to report a clean test. However my research has found cases where the MRO will tell your work that there is a safety warning.

I have the Number for the MRO which I am going to call her also to see if she tells me the same thing. If I get any more info I will post it. I hope this helps out anyone.

Also if you have a any question you think I should ask when I call the MRO just post them. I will wait tell tomorrow to call her. I also can tack pics of this packet if anyone wants to see what Saliva Quest Saliva test look like.

Take care friends

Well I could not wait. I called the MRO number in the packet. (800-881-4826 Coral Springs Fl.) I ask to talk to the MRO on duty. I asked her the same question. She said Marinol cannot be distingquished from natual marijuana in a saliva test. She said the only thing that would clear THC is a valid Marinol prescription. I thanked here a hung up.
__________________

ElSohly is the only Lab I’ve found that runs the marinol distinguishing test. Anybody know which labs might subcontract them?

The “non-standard cannabinoids” that distinguish Marinol from marijuana is THCV – natural marijuana contains THC and a host of other cannabinoids, while Marinol is simply pure THC.

Federal drug testing guidelines set by SAMhSA don’t require labs to test for THCV. So which labs are going above the minimum guidelines, and why?

So if you have a Marinol presciption and you are being tested with a Saliva kit you are still safe using the Marinol to cover Natual MJ in workplace testing.

I am prescribed Marinol for Depression and ADHD and it cost my insurance company like 1,400.00 a month for my script. I could spend 160.00 on a half oz and it would last just as long if not longer!

I am on Federal probabtion and they will be testing me with this advanced Marinol test. My question is this. I haven’t smoked in 1.5 mos. I have been taking marinol for the past 1.5 mos. When I last stopped smoking, I was smoking a gram daily for a good 2 months. Is it possible by adding more THC (marinol) it will take the other canabanoids longer to metabolize?