How to choose a reliable THC saliva test

Start with your intended use

Are you looking for cannabis alone, several substances, or equipment for a professional screening programme? These needs require different comparisons.

• THC only: check the exact molecule listed in the instructions.
• Several substances: compare the full panel and each cut-off. “5 drugs” or “6 drugs” is not a complete specification.
• Professional use: identify the users, quantities, storage arrangements and procedure for handling results. Equipment alone does not establish an appropriate screening framework.

Check who the test is intended for

A product available to purchase is not automatically a self-test intended for the general public. Read the manufacturer's intended use and user requirements. A professional-use reference should not be treated as interchangeable with a consumer self-test.

For example, Toda Pharma's Drugdiag® Saliva THC product page specifies qualitative THC screening at 15 ng/mL, interpretation at 5 minutes and use reserved for healthcare professionals. These details apply to this reference, not to every saliva test.

Cut-off, sensitivity and reliability are different

A cut-off is a reference concentration expressed in ng/mL. It is not a reliability percentage or a measure of how much cannabis someone has consumed. Two tests with the same cut-off can have different performance characteristics.

Ask for validation data for the exact reference: comparison method, number of samples, performance near the cut-off, cross-reactions, interferences and invalid results. When a percentage is quoted, check what it measures and the conditions in which it was obtained.

Your checklist before ordering

• Reference and manufacturer: the commercial name should match the technical documentation.
• Sampling: the instructions should explain preparation, collection and any collection indicator.
• Reading: check the specified time window and examples of positive, negative and invalid results.
• Traceability: check the batch, packaging, expiry date and storage conditions.
• Documentation: request instructions and documents for the exact reference, rather than relying on a logo or a statement about the whole range.
• Support: know who can answer a technical question and what to do with an invalid result.

Compare useful quantities and total cost

A large box may not suit occasional use. For regular screening, compare pack size, actual quantity needed, remaining shelf life and available documentation. For an organisational purchase, include the destination country and required date in your quote request.

A higher price does not establish better performance, and a lower price does not establish poor quality. Compare documented references suited to the same need.

Interpret the result within its limits

Follow the reading diagram for the product you use. Do not transfer the interpretation rules from another test. If the validity criteria are not met, follow the instructions rather than calling the result negative.

A negative result does not certify that all substances are absent or predict a later official test. The French roadside-testing procedure distinguishes screening from laboratory verification. This is a French reference, not a description of German, Swiss or Belgian law. Do not use a privately purchased test to decide that driving after consumption is safe.

Compare references with AMA Prévention

AMA Prévention supports the deployment of Drugdiag® solutions developed by the French laboratory Toda Pharma. Review the product's intended use before choosing your reference.

View Drugdiag® Saliva THC Ask for advice and a quote

Frequently asked questions

Is a 15 ng/mL test necessarily identical to a police test?

No. A common cut-off does not establish that the devices, validation or procedures are identical.

Does a saliva test detect every drug?

No. Read the exact list of substances and cut-offs supplied by the manufacturer.

Can saliva and urine cut-offs be compared directly?

No. The sample and the substance measured can differ. Compare devices intended for the same analysis.