Study identifies nearly fourfold THC variation tied to buccal cells in saliva samples

A Journal of Analytical Toxicology study found the cell-rich portion of THC-positive oral-fluid samples contained a median 3.93 times more measured THC than homogenized samples, identifying collection and processing as a major source of variability. Oklahoma employers, testing providers and defense counsel should account for this pre-analysis factor when interpreting saliva THC results, which the study did not validate as a measure of impairment.