How Long Does Cannabis Stay in Your System?

Cannabis users often have the same question: How long does cannabis stay in your system? This question may come up for a number of reasons, and the answers may be a bit confusing. We’re here to make it easier for you.

What Do Drug Tests Look for Exactly?

Tests are designed to detect THC, the most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis. Once THC is in your system, it enters your bloodstream where it’s broken down into molecules called metabolites.

The presence of THC may fade quickly, however metabolites such as THC-COOH remain detectable days or weeks after cannabis was consumed. Because THC is fat-soluble, in general those people with a higher proportion of body fat will retain those THC metabolites for longer.

For CBD users, drug tests have nothing to do with CBD! They only look for THC metabolites in your system.

What Type of Tests are Used to Test for Marijuana?

You can take a variety of tests to determine how long cannabis has been in your system. Samples can be gathered from saliva, urine, hair, or blood, and there are several other factors that contribute to how the results will show up after the test.

Saliva

If your saliva is being tested, you can test positive for THC for up to 34-48 hours after your last use.

Urine

Urine tests are the most commonly used for drug tests, and this is where other variables come into play. For infrequent users or those who use cannabis less than 2 times per week, you can test positive for 1-3 days after your last use.

Moderate users, or those who use cannabis several times per week, can test positive for 7­–21 days after last use.

Heavy users, or those who use cannabis several times a day, can test positive for a month or longer after last use.

For users who choose to consume their marijuana with edibles, positive results can happen for 1-5 days after last use.

Hair

Hair tests can detect marijuana for up to 90 days after last use. Studies show that these tests are more reliable for moderate to heavy users; it can be difficult to detect cannabis in light users by their hair.

Blood

Blood tests are also used to detect marijuana, the metabolites in your blood can show up on a blood test for up to 36 hours after last use.

Depending on the type of test you take, you may get different results. For example, a heavy user may take a saliva test after not consuming it for a few days and the test will determine there is no marijuana in their system. 

However, if that same user were to take a urine or hair test, the results would show that they do have marijuana in their system and it’s been there for a period of 7-90 days. The question of exactly how long THC-OOH is detectable depends on several factors.

What Factors Affect How Long Marijuana Will Show Up In My System?

While each test varies in terms of when marijuana will show in your system, there are other factors to consider as well. Other factors that can affect how long THC-OOH is detectable in your system include:

• Frequency of use
• Hydration levels
• Metabolism/ body fat
• Length of time since last use
• How your body processes THC
• Amount of THC in the marijuana

It’s always good to have a better understanding of cannabis, how it affects your body and how long it will stay in your system. If you have a test coming up, good luck! Everyone here at Doobie hopes it turns out the way you need it to.

If not, give us a ring if you need a buzz! We make cannabis easy.