How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System? | The Hope House (2024)

Each year more than 6 million drug and alcohol tests are conducted by the US Department of Transportation alone. With marijuana (street names include: dope, pot, herb, etc) being a prime focus, many people are asking “how long does marijuana stay in your system?” While the answer has many components to it, science has made it clearer.

Active Components: THC and CBD

Marijuana contains over 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, but the two most prominent are (tetrahydrocannabinol) THC and (cannabidiol) CBD. THC is the psychoactive component responsible for the “high” that people feel when they consume marijuana. CBD is non-psychoactive and often used for its potential therapeutic effects.

When marijuana is consumed, THC and CBD are absorbed into the bloodstream and interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that regulate various physiological processes, such as mood, appetite, and pain sensation. The duration and intensity of effects can depend on factors like dosage, method of consumption, and individual sensitivity to cannabinoids.

Although the psychoactive effects of marijuana typically last for a few hours, THC and its metabolites can remain in your system for a much longer period. This is an important distinction to make when considering marijuana testing, as a positive result may not necessarily indicate recent or current impairment.

CBD can stay in your body for up to 7 days after the last use, but individual factors and frequency of use can influence the duration.

How does THC metabolize?

Once in the bloodstream, THC is rapidly metabolized by the liver into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC, which is then broken down into several inactive metabolites, including THC-COOH. These metabolites are stored in body fat and gradually eliminated from the body through urine and feces. The rate at which the body processes and eliminates these compounds depends on individual factors, such as metabolism and body composition.

Frequency of Use

The most important factor determining how long weed stays in your system is the frequency of use. Occasional users may clear THC and its metabolites from their systems faster than heavy or chronic users. This is because chronic users have higher levels of the compounds stored in their body fat.

Body Composition and Metabolism

Individual factors, such as body mass index (BMI), metabolism, and hydration, can affect how long marijuana stays in your system.

• Body fat- People with a higher percentage of body fat may retain THC and its metabolites for longer periods, as these compounds are stored in fat cells.
• Metabolism- Those with faster metabolisms are able to process and eliminate THC more quickly than those with slower metabolisms.
• Hydration- While overhydrating won’t change drug test results, severe dehydration might.
• Sex- Females have a slightly longer detection period.

Type of Cannabis Product

While the type of marijuana that is consumed doesn’t affect the detox period, it does affect the duration of marijuana’s psychoactive effects. When smoked, marijuana reached peak effects around 30 minutes after ingestion. On the other hand, edibles are absorbed more slowly through the gastrointestinal tract, and reach peak effects after 3 hours.

How long does marijuana stay in urine?

Urine testing is the most common method for detecting marijuana use. It primarily measures the inactive metabolite THC-COOH, which can be present in urine for an extended period. Detection times vary depending on individual factors and frequency of use:

• single use: 3 days
• moderate use (four times per week): 5 to 7 days
• chronic use (daily): 10 to 15 days
• chronic heavy use (multiple times per day): more than 30 days

How long does weed stay in your blood system?

Blood tests are less common than urine tests, as they have a shorter detection window and are more invasive. Detection times for blood tests are only about 2-7 days.

Blood tests do not detect THC for as long as urine tests because they measure the active THC levels in the bloodstream, whereas urine tests primarily measure the inactive metabolite THC-COOH. When THC is metabolized by the liver, it is rapidly converted into THC-COOH, which is then stored in our body fat and gradually eliminated through urine.

How long does weed stay in your hair?

Hair follicle drug screening can detect THC and its metabolites for a much longer period than urine or blood tests, as these compounds stay in the hair as it grows. Detection times for hair tests can detect marijuana in your system for up to 90 days.

How long does weed stay in saliva?

Saliva tests are the best indicator of recent use or impairment. These types of tests have been gaining popularity as a method to detect marijuana use due to their non-invasive nature and ability to identify recent consumption.

Marijuana can be detected in saliva for about 5-48 hours after use, with peak concentrations occurring within the first few hours. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly employing this method for roadside testing, since it can swiftly and accurately identify drivers under the influence of marijuana.

It is very unlikely that a single hit of weed would stay in your system for more than a few days. The average elimination period after single usage was found to be 42 hours. Depending on several other factors, a single use of marijuana may be detected for up to 3-4 days.

While some people may resort to various methods to try and pass a drug test, such as diluting their urine, using synthetic urine, or taking detox products, it’s important to remember that these techniques can be unreliable and extremely risky. Furthermore, attempting to cheat a drug test is not conducive to recovery and comes with serious legal repercussions. The best approach is to seek help, abstain from drug use, and focus on your health and well-being.

If you’ve found yourself needing to fake a drug test or wondering “is marijuana addictive?” consider getting help to identify and overcome marijuana addiction today.