Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

True or False? THC levels can be accurately measured with a blood test.

1. True

2. False

3. Only for medical purposes

4. It varies by state

The correct answer is: False

The assertion that THC levels can be accurately measured with a blood test is false due to several factors related to the nature of THC and how it interacts with the body. Blood tests can indeed detect the presence of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, but the measurement doesn't directly correlate with impairment as it does with alcohol. THC metabolites can linger in the bloodstream for an extended period, sometimes days or even weeks after use, especially in habitual users. This means that a positive test doesn't necessarily reflect current impairment or the timing of use. Additionally, the methodology and technology used in blood tests may not be consistently reliable, further complicating the ability to accurately assess impairment for legal or safety purposes. Therefore, while blood tests can identify THC, they do not provide an accurate measure of current impairment levels or intoxication, leading to the conclusion that measuring THC levels accurately with a blood test is not feasible.