Cannabis, popularly known as weed, can typically be detected 1 to 30 days after the last intake of human fluids. How long does weed stay in your system is a popular question we’re out to answer today. The amount of time marijuana stays in a person’s system might vary, just like with other narcotics. The results of a drug test can be affected by a number of factors, including frequency of usage, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, metabolism, and hydration. However, in general, longer detection times are linked to larger doses and more frequent usage.
Like other substances, cannabis could be detected in your hair for several months, especially in those who use it daily or nearly daily.
Today, we’re not doing CBD vs THC debate but read on to find out more about marijuana retention through different organs of the human body.
How THC is Metabolized
THC is converted by the liver into several metabolites – drug tests detect these metabolites because, in the body, they stay longer than THC – (but the most notable are 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC) or is absorbed into a variety of human tissues and organs, including the brain, fat, and heart. The body excretes about 20% of cannabis through urine and about 65% is expelled through feces while it stores the remainder.
The THC that has been kept in bodily tissues over time is eventually transferred into the bloodstream and processed by the liver. THC can appear on a drug test days or even weeks after a person smokes marijuana because, among chronic users, THC accumulates in fatty tissues way faster than it can be excreted.
Factors That Influence How Long Marijuana Remains Detectable
The time that marijuana stays in your system depends on a variety of factors. Metabolic rate and Body mass index (BMI), for example, has less to do with the medicine itself and more to do with how people’s bodies metabolize and process it.
Other elements have to do with marijuana and how you use it. This covers the dosage, frequency, mode of administration, and potency of the cannabis that you take.
THC may linger in your system longer in marijuana that is strong and has a greater THC content. Additionally, ingested marijuana can stay in your system a little bit longer than marijuana that is smoked.
The time it takes for weed to leave your system tends to grow longer with higher doses and a higher frequency of use.
Types of Drug Tests
Testing for marijuana only finds traces of past marijuana use, not current addiction intoxication. After ingestion, marijuana can still be traced for days, weeks, or even months. This detection window’s length is influenced by the type of sample, marijuana dosage, and frequency of use. The various types of drug tests for marijuana include;
Urine
According to the Mayo Clinic Proceedings’ Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests, marijuana usage can be spotted in urine up to several weeks after the last time you used it. This is dependent on the degree of usage from person to person. In general, to answer the question of “How long does weed stay in urine?” the recommendations indicate that:
- For single use, it can be traced up to3 days after the last use
- For moderate users, it can be traced up to5-7 days after the last use
- For chronic users, weed can be spotted10-15 days after your last use
- While chronic heavy users, it can take as many as30 days after the last use.
According to MedlinePlus, the most typical test for finding marijuana is a urine test.
Saliva
This particular test is common with drivers as they are frequently tested for drugs at traffic checkpoints with their saliva – it will pick up marijuana use from 24-72 hours after the last use.
Hair
Hair testing is an additional method for detecting marijuana in your body since THC enters your bloodstream and travels to your hair follicles. With a presence of up to 90 days after your last usage, a hair test could still reveal drug use.
Hair tests are typically less accurate than other cannabis drug testing methods. The presence of marijuana on your hair strands could cause a false positive if you’ve inhaled marijuana smoke or had direct physical contact with anyone who has used marijuana.
Blood
According to information provided by Drug and Alcohol Information and Support Ireland, cannabis is normally detectable in your blood for 1-2 days following usage – this may drastically rise in level of use. According to research by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, the drug may remain detectable in some chronic users’ blood for up to 25 days after their last use.
| Testing Sample | Time of Detection |
| Urine | Up to Three (3) days – can be as much as 6 weeks in heavy users |
| Saliva | Up to 24-72 hours |
| Hair | Up to Ninety (90) days |
| Blood | Up to Seven (7) days |
This table explains how long does marijuana stay in the urine, saliva, hair, and blood
Is it Legal to Demand A Drug Test in the USA?
Federal law doesn’t have a lot to say about drug testing, with the exception of those companies in sectors that are tightly regulated federally (like nuclear energy, transportation, and military contracts). Drug testing is nevertheless governed by the law in several states and even by some local authorities. The requirements frequently change depending on whether the company wishes to test an employee.
However, practically speaking, state laws permit companies to drug test applicants. But the employer is required to abide by the state’s regulations for giving notice and carrying out steps to stop discrimination and the use of unreliable samples. For instance, some states only permit applicant testing if:
- The candidate is aware that these tests will be conducted as part of the hiring process (for example, because it was indicated on the job application or because it was mentioned in the employer’s internet job advertisement).
- The candidate has already received a job offer from the employer, subject to passing a drug test.
- The testing is comparable for all candidates for the same position.
- A laboratory that has received state certification conducts the testing.
Nowadays, the majority of businesses that plan to test job applicants for drugs include a consent form on the job application. You won’t have much of a choice but to submit to the test if you are requested to submit to a drug test while looking for a job.
Is It Possible To Force-metabolize?
You can’t really do anything to hasten the time it takes for THC or its metabolites to leave your body.
Once THC has been ingested, it takes some time for your body to break it down. Exercise, a good diet, and drinking enough water may help, but not significantly.
On the internet, you can find kits and cures for cannabisdetox. Many opine that you drink a lot of water to thin out your pee, then go on to use herbal supplements like creatine or vitamin B12 to cover up the dilution.
Is It Possible To Receive A False Positive Test for THC?
False positive tests for THC are quite rare but have been linked to a select group of chemicals, with hemp products being the most prevalent and evident. Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC, two hemp-derived modified cannabinoids, will always trip that wire, although hemp-derived CBD products and foods may occasionally result in consumers failing tests. Have that at the back of your mind when you have a hemp-seed muffin for breakfast.
Be mindful when washing your hands with regular baby soaps because, according to a 2012 study, they might cause positive THC results when your urine samples are checked. Anti-inflammatory drugs like fenoprofen, naproxen, and ibuprofen, as well as the proton pump inhibitors omeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole, which are used to treat acid reflux, have in extremely rare instances—we’re talking less than 1 percent—caused false positives for THC. HIV medicine efavirenz has also falsely highlighted THC tests. So, be mindful, that there are many things to consider when thinking abouthow to pass the drug test for THC.
Conclusion
Marijuana can be in your system for many days or months and the detection window can be influenced by your dosage, frequency of use, your medium of intake, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take Weed To Leave Your System?
THC metabolites are often detected in the bloodstream for 1 to 30 days following last use.
Even after abstaining for a while, heavy cannabis users may still have high THC levels.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
When compared to smoking or vaping, edibles take much longer to start working, but they also typically last much longer. The biggest effects start to appear about three hours after ingestion, and the usual dose from an edible can persist for six or more hours.
Can You Test Positive From Edibles?
Yes, a drug test will detect THC from edibles. THC enters your system regardless of whether you consume it or smoke it.
What is THC Detox?
A detox involves ridding the body of something—in this case, THC or marijuana (or its products like oil)—and taking some time away from it. The body can remove THC from its system by refraining from cannabis.
In the article on Mercurynews “THC Detox Guide and Best Ways to Get Weed Out of System” you can read the detailed information about how to get weed out of your system fast. We strongly recommend that you read this article, because this is full guide on the topic.
Depending on how much cannabis you use and whether or not you use it for medical reasons, weed detox procedures may be simple for some people and challenging for others. But the process starts easily, you can just google “where to find Mega Clean Detox Drink me”? or “THC detox”
How Long Does Marinol Stay in Your System?
Your body absorbs the synthetic THC in Marinol in the same way it does the THC found naturally in marijuana. It is also processed, excreted, and stored in the same ways. Marinol is dissolved and excreted in the urine for a period of two to five weeks. It will show up on urine drug tests throughout this time.