Pot’s stay mellows out

Registered nurse Michael Cloke recently told us (Letters, April 1) marijuana shouldn’t be legalized because “THC” could be detected up to 30 days after someone uses marijuana. Hence, if you smoke a joint you’re stoned for a month and you’d be dangerous on the highways.

Marijuana has one thing in common with every other drug: Your body does not want it in there. Your body will metabolize and eliminate any drug, whether it be pot, heroin, beer or penicillin.

Marijuana plants contain “THC-carboxylic acid” or THC-COOH. This is “non-psychoactive” – you can’t get high off it. Heating the pot by burning or cooking removes the COOH group, creating psychoactive THC.

If you then inhale the smoke or eat the brownies, you’ll take in THC.

While you’re stoned, your body will convert THC to psychoactive “hydroxy-THC” or THC-OH. It will then convert THC-OH to THC-COOH and store that in your fat cells for the next month. Once the cycle is complete, you’re just as capable of driving as you were before you took pot.

Mr. Cloke also mentions alcohol. It metabolizes to ethyl glucuronide, which stays in your system for several days – and it can be tested for.

Jim Mowreader

Hayden