Increasing swallowed THC and increasing THC/CBD spray did not produce the same analyte-specific oral-fluid response. A dose relationship for one cannabinoid cannot be assigned to the entire panel.
The adjusted comparisons diverged
After controlling for collection time and baseline concentrations, THC-COOH increased significantly between 5 and 15 mg swallowed THC, while parent THC did not show that dose relationship. For the higher versus lower Sativex dose, oral-fluid THC, CBD and CBN increased significantly, but THC-COOH did not.
The capsule and spray conditions used different delivery methods and cannabinoid compositions. Spray directly contacted oral surfaces; swallowed capsules did not create the same immediate local deposit.
Significance does not create a dose calculator
A significant group comparison does not establish that doubling an individual’s concentration means doubling their consumed dose. A nonsignificant comparison does not prove exact equivalence. Baseline exposure, collection timing and within-person variation remain relevant even after statistical adjustment.
Apply the result to the correct question
When a report says saliva tracked dose, ask which analyte, formulation and comparison supported that statement. The study supplies evidence about disposition under controlled administration. It did not validate reconstruction of an unknown dose from a single specimen or show that the observed dose-related differences were a measure of driving performance.
Related reading: cannabinoid assay interpretation.
Research cited
Lee and colleagues (2012). Can oral fluid cannabinoid testing monitor medication compliance and/or cannabis smoking during oral THC and oromucosal Sativex administration?. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.10.011.
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