If you are wondering how long weed can stay in your system, well, it varies. On average, the active consumption of weed can be detected by hair tests within 90 days, by urine tests within 30 days, by saliva tests within 1-3 days, and by blood tests within 48 hours.
Urine drug tests are mostly done to check for weed in your system. Therefore, due to the possibility of early detection of weed in the system, you need to detoxify beforehand or use powdered urine to simulate a real urine sample when scheduled for a drug test.
Even with the different opinions on marijuana use, according to Johnson & Wales University, weed is considered to have many health benefits for our bodies. For instance, it prevents nausea or vomiting after a chemotherapy session, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, prevents relapse, treats anxiety, prevents seizures, etc.
In this article, we will answer the question “how long does weed stay in the system?” and provide more information on how THC is processed in the body, detection windows of weed, and how to pass different drug tests.
How Is THC Processed in the Body?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is found in cannabis, and affects how the brain functions. When a THC dose is inhaled, it first enters the lungs, then the bloodstream, and finally finds its way into the brain, instantly changing its normal functioning.
On the other hand, weed present in edibles goes to the stomach, intestines, and then the liver. In the liver, it is broken down into 11 Hydroxy THC, which has a strong effect. The process is much slower, but still has a great impact.
When THC travels through the bloodstream to the brain, it binds with CB1 receptors there, which leads to changes in mood, coordination, appetite, and memory. The liver also metabolizes the THC into inactive components that are later excreted through urine, feces, sweat, and breastmilk. This should give you an answer to the question “how long does marijuana stay in your system before extraction?”.
Ideally, a THC dose will be extracted from the system within days to weeks, depending on whether you are a regular or occasional user, metabolism rate, or body fat/BMI (Body Mass Index). Those with more body fat can retain a higher THC dose than those with lower BMI.
How Long Does THC Stay in Your System?
If you have ever used weed, have you ever thought of “how long does it take for marijuana to get out of your system?” in case you want to stop using it completely? Here are some factors that affect the duration:
Consumption-Related Factors
- Usage frequency
|
Frequency |
Detection time | Reason |
| First-time users | 1-3 days |
A first-time user consumes a small amount, so it is excreted faster because of fewer stored cannabis metabolites |
|
Occasional users |
3-7 days | Low levels of THC metabolites are stored in body fat, and stay longer if taken in large doses |
| Regular users | 7-21 days |
High THC metabolites build up, therefore taking time to get out of the system |
|
Heavy users |
21-30+ days |
The highest level of THC metabolites is stored and accumulated in the cells of body fat and stays in the system longer |
- Body fat percentage. Since THC is stored in the body fat, those with a higher/BMI (Body Mass Index) may store more of it than those with a lower BMI.
- Metabolism rate. People with a faster metabolism tend to flush THC out of their system faster than those with a slower metabolism. Moreover, those who exercise frequently eliminate it faster.
- Type of drug test. The type of drug test also influences the detection of marijuana in your system.
|
Type of drug test |
Detection time |
|---|---|
| Urine test |
Up to 30 days for frequent users |
|
Blood test |
Up to 48 hours |
| Hair test |
Up to 90 days |
|
Saliva test |
1-3 days |
- Amount of weed taken. Large amounts of consumed weed can stay in the system for a longer time than a small amount.
Personal Factors
- Hydration level. Drinking large amounts of water can influence the detection rate of cannabis in your system. Also, the use of supplements can cause changes in weed detection.
- Age. Older people may have a slower metabolism, so they may retain more weed in the system than younger people with a faster metabolism.
- Gender. Since most females tend to have more body fat, they may retain THC longer than men with lower body fat.
- Genetics. Some people naturally have a faster metabolism, so they may flush weed out of the system faster than those with a slower metabolism.
- Health and liver functioning. Those with liver problems may retain more weed than those without them due to a slower metabolism.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your Body? Detection Windows
If you are knowledgeable about “how long does weed stay in your body?”, well, you ought to also know the tests that can be used for its detection. Primarily, weed can be detected in your system using urine, saliva, hair, sweat, and blood tests.
Mouth Swab (Saliva Test)
A saliva test can be done in the workplace for different jobs, such as driving or operating machinery, where employees can easily put others at risk. Also, drivers can be tested after a workplace accident to make sure that the incident wasn’t caused by the consumption of drugs
The saliva test is done by rubbing a cotton swab around the gums and cheeks in the mouth. However, the person being tested needs to have a sufficient amount of saliva and not have eaten or drunk anything recently to receive accurate results. Using this method, THC can be detected within 1-3 days on average.
Urine Test
A urine test can be done as a part of pre-employment drug screening in industries like transportation and construction. The urine sample is collected in a sterile container to prevent any risk of contamination or tampering. A urine test can be used to test for weed within 30 days of substance usage. Prolonged cannabis use can easily be detected through urine tests. With this, you should have a better understanding of “how long does weed stay in urine?”.
Hair Follicles Test
The hair follicle test is mostly done for high-risk jobs like the military, legal cases by court order, and job positions that require individuals with high reliability. The test is done by collecting a small sample of hair follicles from the scalp or body. The hair follicles should be clean and uncontaminated. If you can’t answer the question “how long does weed stay in the hair follicle?”, well, the test can detect marijuana use within 90 days. The test is possible because cannabis metabolites are incorporated into the scalp when they get into the bloodstream, and since hair grows slowly, it can be detected over a longer period.
Blood Test
A blood test can be done when there are doubts about a driver being under the influence of drugs, for jobs like pilots and tractor drivers that require high safety precautions, and in medical or legal situations. The blood sample is collected from a vein on the arm using a sterile needle. However, the sample needs to be handled well to prevent any contamination or degradation. Luckily, results are processed in a lab for security purposes.
A blood test can effectively detect marijuana usage for up to 3 days. In some cases, it can be detected for up to 7 days. However, it can’t be detected after a long time because THC does not stay in the system for long.
Sweat Test
The sweat test is not that common, however, it is mostly used in the legal setting in some workplaces. A small sweat patch is worn on the upper arm for a week or two. It collects sweat that is used to investigate drug use. For accurate results, it needs to be worn continuously to ensure proper monitoring. Drug use can be detected within 7-14 days. Since THC is stored in the body fat, the sweat test can be used for the detection of long-term use, not just recent consumption.
The Impact of Different Weed Consumption Methods
The consumption method directly impacts the answer to “how long does weed stay in the body?”. We will provide an overview of different consumption methods, absorption, effect duration, retention, and detection time.
|
Consumption method |
Absorption | Effect duration | Retention duration | Detection time |
| Smoking (Joints, pipes, bongs) | Absorbed into the lungs, proceeds to the bloodstream and finally the brain | Effect peaks within 15-30 minutes and lasts for over 1-3 hours | It is stored in the body fat and easily detected within urine and hair |
Urine – up to 30 days Blood – 1-2 days Hair – Up to 90 days |
|
Vaping (Vape pen, vaporizers) |
Absorbed into the lungs and then the bloodstream | The effect peaks within 30 minutes and lasts 1-3 hours. | It is stored in the body fat and mostly retained for regular and heavy users | Urine – up to 30 days
Blood – 1-2 days Hair – Up to 90 days |
| Edibles (Cannabis induced drinks and food) | Absorbed into the digestive system, then goes to the liver, which converts it into 11-Hydroxy THC. It is a slow process that produces a strong effect | Effect peaks within 30 mins – 2 hours and lasts 4-8 hours | It is stored in the body fat. It can be detected within urine and hair |
Urine – 7-30 days Blood – 1-2 days Hair -Up to 90 days |
|
Dabbing (Concentrates, wax, shatter) |
Inhaling concentrated cannabis extracts produces an immediate effect | Peaks in a few minutes and lasts for 1-2 hours | THC is retained in the cells of body fat, leading to a longer detection period | Urine – 3 – 7 days
Blood – 1-2 days Hair – Up to 90 days |
| Topicals (cream, lotions, balms) | Applied directly to the skin and not absorbed into the skin | Provides localized relief | No retention |
Not easily detectable within urine, blood, or hair |
|
Mouth swabs |
THC is absorbed through the mucous membrane in the mouth | Lasts about 1-3 hours | Great for on-the-spot monitoring, but not for long-term detection |
Saliva – 1-3 days after use |
How to Pass Different Drug Tests?
If you are scheduled for a drug test, you might be wondering “how long does weed stay in your system after a couple of puffs” if you are a regular user. Luckily, there are methods you can use to pass marijuana drug tests even after recent use. But before that, here are some myths about popular methods of cheating various weed tests.
Myths of Popular Methods of Cheating Weed Drug Tests
If you have always worried about “how long does it take for weed to get out of your system?”, well, here are some myths you should understand first so that you can’t be misled if you want to pass a drug test.
Myth 1: Drinking Excessive to reduce THC levels
Some people believe that drinking a lot of water will flush cannabis metabolites out of the system or dilute their urine and make THC undetectable. This is a myth because THC metabolites are stored in the cells of body fat. These metabolites are released into the bloodstream gradually, so they can’t be flushed out that fast. Drinking excessive water just dilutes your urine, and it can’t be used as a sample for marijuana drug tests.
Myth 2: Detox Pills and Drinks Completely Cleanse Your System
It is thought that detox pills and drinks can quickly cleanse the system. However, they just do temporary masking for a short period (preferably used when you are scheduled for a drug test). Also, some lab tests can detect the use of some detox pills or drinks just before the test.
Detox drinks work by diluting your urine, and adding some substances to dilute cannabis metabolites. They just cover the traces of THC metabolites and do not completely cleanse your system.
Myth 3: Substituting Your Urine
Some people think that substituting urine with someone else’s clean or synthetic urine will always work. However, modern labs have mechanisms for checking substituted urine based on creatinine level, gravity, and temperature. However, some synthetic urine can work when well-prepared, especially with the right chemical composition.
How to Pass Different Weed Drug Tests
Since we have debunked some common myths, here are the ways you can use to pass different weed drug tests.
Urine Drug Test
If you are scheduled for a urine drug test, you can use these methods to reduce the chances of marijuana detection.
- Detox pills. Toxin Rid is one of the most effective pills for detoxification that has been proven to work. It removes toxins over 50% faster than natural detoxification methods.
- Detox drinks. Detoxify Med Clean helps a marijuana user detoxify very fast. It is great for dealing with high toxin exposure, reducing toxin levels, and flushing out toxins. However, it is effective only for up to 3 hours.
- Synthetic urine. Test Clear Urine Simulation with Powdered Urine is one of the best synthetic urine products you can use to substitute your urine, either for supervised or unsupervised testing. It has the right chemical composition and provides instructions on temperature control.
- Certo method. You can utilize Gatorade, which is a great home remedy for detoxification. It helps you replenish carbohydrates, fluids, and electrolytes. It is also used by individuals to return the energy lost while doing some sports.
Saliva Drug Test
If you are scheduled for a saliva drug test you can try some mouthwashes to help in the detoxification process. One of the best ones is Toxin Rid Rescue Wash, which has a long history of proven effectiveness. If you are a mild marijuana user, you can use sour gums or candies.
Hair Tests
You can utilize specialized shampoos such as Old Style Aloe Toxin and Zydot Ultra Clean. They may damage your hair, but they work well for heavy drug users. Other options would be Macujo or Jerry J methods.
Frequently Asked Questions on “How Long Does Weed Stay in the Body?”
What Are the Effects of Excessive Cannabis Use for a Long Period?
It can be destructive for your mental and physical health, negatively impacting coordination, memory, and intelligence. According to WebMD, medical weed has side effects such as euphoria, altered senses, impaired memory, confusion, poor muscle coordination, dizziness, etc.
How Long Does It Take for the Brain to Return to Normal After Weed Usage?
The brain can return to normal after two days, but for excessive users it can even take up to three weeks. According to an article by PubMed Central, the neurological model of addiction by Koob and Volkow suggests that repeated substance abuse drives neurological changes in the brain, which perpetuates the cycle of addiction.
What Short-Term Sensations Are Caused by THC?
The list includes relief from stress, calmness, less anger, happiness, pain relief, altered perception, and increased appetite. However, after withdrawal from weed use, you may face nausea, chills, sleep problems, irritability, and restlessness.
How Long Does THC Stay in Saliva Glands?
THC stays 1-3 days in the saliva glands.
How Long Does THC Stay in the System from the Weed Pen?
It can stay for up to 30 days if you are a frequent user, or as little as 3 days if you are a first-timer or occasional user.
How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?
It can be detectable for up to 5 days and up to 2 weeks for regular users.
Conclusion
Marijuana can be easily detected by saliva, urine, hair, blood, and sweat tests. However, the detection window varies. If you are wondering about how long weed can stay in your system, well, on average, you can detect marijuana in the hair follicle within 90 days, urine in 30 days, saliva within 1-3 days, and blood in up to 48 hours.
Therefore, if scheduled for a drug test, you can consider using detox pills, detox drinks, detox shampoos, synthetic urine, certain methods, sour candies, mouthwashes, and sour gums. In case you find you are battling weed addiction, you can consider getting professional help to prevent being fully reliant on it.
