Drug-specific verification

Drug-class-specific verification considerations (opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana/THC, PCP, MDMA), permitted prescriptions, and clinical interpretation of positive results.

An employee's urine specimen is confirmed positive for marijuana metabolite (THCA) at 22 ng/mL. During the verification interview, the employee states they have never used marijuana but did spend several hours in a small, unventilated room where friends were smoking. Additionally, they regularly use a non-prescription hemp-derived CBD oil purchased at a pharmacy for anxiety. What is the MRO's most appropriate action?

A.Verify the result as positive, as neither passive inhalation nor the use of non-prescription hemp products are recognized as legitimate medical explanations.

B.Verify the result as negative, since the THCA concentration is low and consistent with the employee's report of passive exposure in a confined space.

C.Verify the result as negative, as the employee has provided a legitimate explanation involving a legal, non-prescription health product.

D.Direct the laboratory to perform a tetrahydrocannabivarin (THC-V) analysis to determine if the result was caused by hemp oil consumption before making a verification decision.