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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses on a body fluid sample (typically urine) to determine cannabinoids, a group of compounds found in the plant species cannabis sativa, and/or cannabinoid metabolites; the main psychoactive cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (TTH). Cannabinoids are central nervous system drug stimulants with little or no therapeutic use that produce an initial state of euphoria, relaxation, and well-being, creating a high potential for abuse. Cannabinoids are mostly consumed by smoking marijuana (usually a mixture of crushed leaves and flowers) or hashish (the dry resinous secretion of the plant). Reagents designed to screen urine samples for cannabinoids usually measure cannabinoid metabolites, typically THC-COOH; due to the cross-reactivity with other metabolites, the measurement is greater than the actual concentration of the metabolite. Thus, the results are typically expressed as THC-COOH equivalent. Cannabinoid metabolites can be detected in urine samples for several days after casual use; habitual smokers may remain positive for more than a month.
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