UTD Researcher Develops Saliva Test That Monitors THC Levels

(from left to right) Vikram Narayanan Dhamu, PhD, Shalini Prasad, PhD and Nathan Kodjo Mintah Churcher

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed a hand-held rapid saliva test that can measure the level of THC, the major active component in marijuana, with 94% accuracy. The device, called CannibiSenS, also can distinguish between THC and CBD, a component of the cannabis plant that does not cause a psychoactive effect and is sold legally in dietary substances, creams and other products in most states.

“The CannibiSenS device has demonstrated the potential for serving the cannabis community in a manner akin to how glucose monitors help the diabetic community,” said Prasad, who has developed similar technology to monitor glucose levels in sweat. “Ultimately the goal is to provide actionable data with a simple mess-free method.”