Chapter 32 - Miscellaneous Issues: Paper Money Contaminated With Cocaine and Other Drugs, Cocaine Containing Herbal Teas, Passive Exposure to Marijuana, Ingestion of Hemp Oil, and Occupational Exposure to Controlled Substances

Abstract

People defend positive drug testing by using various excuses including handling paper money contaminated with cocaine and illicit drugs, herbal tea contaminated with cocaine passive exposure to marijuana, and ingestion of hemp oil. These issues are discussed in this chapter. Studies have shown that handling paper money contaminated with drugs does not cause false positive test results because illicit drugs are not absorbed through skin. However, some herbal tea such as Mate de Coca which are legally sold in some South American countries contain small amount of cocaine and drinking such tea may cause positive cocaine test result. Passive exposure to marijuana smoke does not cause false positive marijuana test result. Hemp seeds are washed with hot water before use, which removes trace amount of tetrahydrocannabinol. Therefore, eating hemp containing food or consume help oil should not produce positive marijuana test result.