How long does weed stay in your system? Cannabis may stay in the human body for a long period, unlike the majority of other substances. Depending on several circumstances, including the frequency of usage, the duration of time that pot remains in the body can range from three to ninety days. A drug test may be difficult, regardless of whether you are a player on a sports team, an employee, or a part of other groups that keep an eye on and enforce regulations regarding substance misuse. The length of time marijuana remains in the body depends on some factors, including body fat percentage, dosage, and frequency of usage.
You might be curious about how long cannabis stays in your system, how your body metabolizes it, and how long the effects will persist for several reasons. Stay tuned for answers to these questions and more information in this article.
How is THC Processed in the Human Body?
The euphoric ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, travels through an interesting process in the body, from consumption to excretion. When ingested—by eating, vaping, or smoking—THC enters the system rapidly. While eaten THC is absorbed by the digestive tract and metabolized by the liver, inhaled THC travels through the lungs.
THC travels throughout the body after entering the bloodstream and binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs. This binding activity alters mood, perception, and cognitive function by causing the “high” that is associated with marijuana usage.
THC metabolism primarily occurs in the liver. It transforms THC into some metabolites, the most prominent of which are the non-psychoactive THC-COOH and the psychoactive 11-hydroxy-THC. Since these metabolites dissolve in fat, the body can store them there. These substances eventually gradually return to the bloodstream and are eliminated through urine and feces.
How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?
How long does weed stay in your system? The frequency of cannabis usage is one of the factors that influences the quantity of THC in the human body. THC can be processed and removed from the body more quickly via a quicker metabolism. A person’s genetic makeup and overall health have a significant impact on how long marijuana is detectable.
Since THC dissolves in fat, it can be kept in fat cells. Higher body fat percentages may cause people to hold onto THC for longer. Staying properly hydrated can aid in urine diluting and lower detectable metabolite concentrations.
The duration of THC’s bodily residency differs significantly across chronic, infrequent, and occasional users. Smaller THC consumption often corresponds to lower THC concentrations in the body, yet these levels can still be found in drug tests or marijuana detection tests.
First-time Users
THC usually remains detectable for three days following usage. Because there isn’t a buildup of metabolites, the body can digest and discard the material really fast.
Occasional Users
Numerous variables, including the quantity and frequency of marijuana usage, might affect this detection window. Less regular cannabis users typically have shorter detection times. Conversely, those who smoke more often could be able to pass THC testing, including urine, for longer periods.
THC can be found in marijuana for three to seven days in those who use it rarely (one to three times per week).
Regular Users
THC often has a fairly lengthy half-life for frequent users. How long does weed stay in your system? If you use cannabis often, THC typically remains in your system for up to 25 days following your previous usage. Compared to regular users, who may experience THC levels that last for weeks or even months, free users often absorb THC more quickly.
Heavy Users
THC can be detected for at least 30 days in heavy users (daily or nearly daily), and in certain extreme circumstances, up to 90 days. The large concentrations of THC retained in adipose tissues, which are progressively released into the bloodstream and eliminated over time, are the cause of this prolonged detection period.
Detection Windows by Testing Method
There are many different situations in which drug tests are administered, including pre-employment, random workplace, driver’s license, and court-ordered testing. Think of urine, hair analysis, and mouth swabs as the three primary forms of laboratory drug testing.
Oral Swab – How Long Does THC Stay in Saliva?
Examples of Use:
- Pre-employment screening;
- Random workplace examinations;
- Court-ordered inspections.
Specimens and Parameters:
Using a special swab, a specimen is taken from the inside of the cheek. To prevent damage or degradation of the specimen, the specimen must be fresh and properly processed.
Open Window:
How to get weed out of your system? THC can be detected within 24-72 hours. This is because THC is rapidly eliminated from saliva and can only be detected for a short time after ingestion.
Urinalysis – How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?
Method of Application:
- Pre-employment testing;
- DOT tests for drivers;
- Sports organizations conduct regular testing.
Specimens and Parameters:
Sample preparation involves collecting urine in a sterile container. The specimen should be fresh and free of any other components that could affect the test results.
Open Window:
How long does weed stay in urine? It takes from three to thirty days to determine THC levels, depending on the frequency and volume of use. THC and its derivatives accumulate in fatty tissues and are then slowly eliminated from the body through urine.
Hair Analysis – How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your Hair?
Examples of Use:
- Screening in hiring for high-level positions;
- Court-ordered;
- Workplace inspections in companies that have high safety standards.
Sample and Parameters:
To obtain a sample, a small amount of hair is cut approximately 1.5 inches from the root of the head, usually from the occipital area. The hair should be clean and not chemically treated because this can affect the result.
Detection Window:
How long does marijuana stay in your hair? The detection period for THC is at least ninety days. THC is deposited in the hair follicles and is stored there as the hair grows.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each testing method, and the choice of a particular method depends on the purpose of the test and the context in which it is conducted.
How to Pass a Drug Test?
How long cannabis stays in the body will ultimately depend on the test procedure used, as well as the detoxification method you choose for the test itself. Below are methods to help you with this:
Urine Tests
Passing a urine drug test can be achieved using several methods, including:
- Detox Pills: They are intended to quicken the body’s natural cleansing procedure. Toxin Rid, for instance, is well-known for its ability to effectively remove toxins from the body, including THC.
- Detox Drinks: Drinks that assist in temporarily disguising the presence of drugs in the system are known as detox drinks. One popular option is Detoxify Mega Clean, which is well-liked for its capacity to eliminate toxins and restore depleted vitamins and minerals.
- Synthetic Urine: In this technique, artificial urine is used in place of actual pee. One typical example is powdered human pee, which is designed to closely resemble the chemical makeup of real urine and is a dependable choice for passing urine tests.
- Certo Method: A fruit pectin called Certo is used with a sports drink such as Gatorade as a home treatment. Certo is supposed to coat the stomach and stop THC metabolites from passing into the urine for a short while.
Saliva Tests
Saliva drug tests are less invasive and easier to administer, but they detect recent drug use. To pass a saliva test, you can use:
- Specialized Mouthwashes: Items such as Toxin Rid Rescue Wash are made to temporarily remove drug residues from the mouth, giving a window of time during which a test would probably come out negative.
- Gums or Sour Candies: Eating gum or sour candies can boost salivation, which aids in reducing the amount of drug metabolites in the mouth for light to moderate users.
Hair Tests
Hair tests can detect drug use over a longer period, making them harder to pass. However, there are methods to attempt to reduce the likelihood of a positive result:
- Detox Shampoos: A popular shampoo that aids in removing drug metabolites from the hair shaft is Old Style Aloe Toxin Rid. It is applied as a pre-test washing procedure.
- Methods for Damaging Hair: For those who use drugs heavily, more intensive techniques can be required:
- Macujo Method: This method removes drug residues from hair in several steps by utilizing vinegar, salicylic acid shampoo, and a deep-cleansing shampoo such as Aloe Toxin Rid;
- The Jerry G. Method: It is repeatedly bleaching and coloring the hair before washing it with detoxifying shampoo. It’s a more drastic method that can seriously harm hair, but it also lowers the amount of drug metabolites that are present.
It’s crucial to remember that the efficacy and dependability of different techniques differ. Additionally, trying to evade a drug test may have negative legal and professional repercussions.
Impact of Different Consumption Methods
The way cannabis is consumed – vaping, smoking, edibles, and so on – determines the amount of THC in the body and how long it remains detectable. Think about every approach.
Smoking
THC enters the bloodstream rapidly through the lungs when cannabis is smoked and reaches maximum concentration within minutes.
Vaping
Vaping also accelerates the entry of THC into the bloodstream through the lungs. Because the active ingredients vaporize faster when smoking, THC concentrations may be higher.
Edibles (food products with THC)
Edibles first pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver, where THC is metabolized to 11-hydroxy-THC, a more efficient metabolite.
Detection Time for Every Consumption Method:
| Smoking | Vaping | Edibles | |
| Saliva | 24 to 72 hours. THC is rapidly eliminated from the body through saliva. | 24 to 72 hours. THC is rapidly excreted from saliva, just as it is from smoking. | up to 72 hours. Because THC and its metabolites are released slowly from the digestive tract, they may remain in the saliva longer. |
| Urine | 3-30 days. Frequent smoking can cause THC to accumulate in fatty tissues, which increases the detection time of THC. | 3-30 days. Based on frequency of use and THC levels in vape liquid. | For 7-30 days. Detection time increases during digestion, especially with regular use. |
| Hair | More than 90 days. THC is deposited in hair follicles and is stored there as hair grows. | Over 90 days. THC accumulates in hair follicles as they grow. | Over 90 days. THC is deposited in hair follicles. |
How long does Delta 8 stay in your system? Because the rate of cannabis absorption, metabolism, and THC accumulation in different tissues varies, each method of cannabis use affects THC levels in the body differently. In drug testing, the choice of method of use affects the time it takes for THC to be detected in the body.
Legal and Employment Considerations
Serious legal and professional ramifications may arise from positive drug testing. Legally speaking, depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction, a positive test result under local and federal regulations may result in a range of penalties, including fines, license revocation, and even criminal prosecution. For instance, in the US, a positive outcome may lead to an instant suspension and the requirement of a rehabilitation program for commercial drivers.
Companies are permitted by law and corporate policy to provide drug tests to their employees. When hiring, during random checks, or if there is a suspicion of drug usage, they could demand testing. Employers must notify staff members of the testing policy, get their permission, and ensure that test results are kept private.
Q&A
Will a Drug Test Reveal Marijuana Use?
Yes, even a single marijuana use can result in a positive drug test result. Research indicates that a non-user of marijuana may clear a drug test three days after using it.
Is There a Quick Way to Get Rid of Marijuana from the Body?
There is no easy way to remove marijuana from the body, despite the commercials for many products. Quitting smoking is the only way to guarantee that your body won’t absorb marijuana.
Do Cannabis Tests Pass Most Drug Tests?
Some companies mandate that workers do a drug test. Workplace drug testing may be required before employment, during yearly physicals, in cases of reasonable suspicion, following an accident, or following a patient’s return from treatment. Five drug categories are usually tested for in routine and random drug tests: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).
Is It Possible for Someone Who Is Passively Smoking Marijuana to Test Positive for Drugs?
Johns Hopkins Medicine research found that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke had high THC levels, which had beneficial effects. Furthermore, secondhand marijuana smoking is said to have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system and tiny blood vessels, according to a study led by Dr. Matthew Springer of the University of California, San Francisco.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in the Urine?
If you use cannabis and you’re about to take a urine test, you might be wondering how long cannabis lingers in the urine. Within a week of using, those who use moderately to lightly may expect a positive pee test, according to the American Addiction Centers. THC can linger in urine samples from consistent users for around one month.
How Much Time Does Marijuana Remain in Hair Follicles?
Numerous factors determine how long cannabis remains in your hair. While cannabinoids can linger in your hair for up to three months, THC and marijuana usually only stay there for two to three weeks.
Conclusion
Cannabis is a highly addictive drug that can negatively impact your life in several ways. Cannabis has a lengthy half-life, which means that in addition to possible health issues, it stays in a person’s system for a long time after usage, raising the risk of passing drug tests. Whether or not the sale of marijuana is legal in your state, many individuals may still experience difficulties with it. If you feel the need to cleanse yourself of the drug’s metabolites, you can turn to the detoxification products described in this article. In a situation where you realize that you cannot cope on your own, seek support from family or friends and go to a treatment center where you will definitely be helped.