These substances are lipid-soluble, meaning they accumulate in fat deposits throughout the body. It’s almost as if the human body likes the metabolites of THC because rather than getting rid of them immediately, like it does with other substances, it holds onto them for extended periods of time. Well, if you’ve only smoked pot one time, you can still test positive in a urinalysis test for up to eight days.

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You are at risk of failing a drug test if you inhale secondhand marijuana smoke. The length of time that marijuana will show https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-marriage-changes-after-sobriety/ up on a drug test varies greatly from person to person. Urine samples are typically viable for testing for hours when stored at room temperature.

• Think of it as the difference between a shot of espresso and a regular cuppa joe.
• Call us at to learn more about our Florida substance abuse programs, ways to pay for rehab, and how we can help you find freedom from addiction today.
• You need to be clean for 2-3 days to pass a urine drug test after the last dose.
• Research on how long a test can detect cannabis shows a wide range of averages.
• Quantitative testing can detect minute quantities of a substance, far below the cut off point in a qualitative test.
• Armed with the right knowledge, there are tactics you can use to confidently stride into that test room.

Detection Windows Based On Cannabis Use

It’s a fine dance between the amount of THC, body fat, and the frequency of use. Plus, the type of marijuana smoke – whether you’re using a dab pen, a joint, or a bong, also plays a part. Like a urine test, testing hair strands can detect traces of THC in the body after they pass from the bloodstream to the hair follicle. But it can also get into the hair from physical contact, meaning that you do not necessarily need to be taking marijuana to have your hair test positive for it. If you have been around secondhand marijuana smoke, have touched marijuana or even if someone who has handled marijuana touches your hair, your hair may test positive.

Blood tests

• While estimates hopefully these windows can help you better prepare yourself for the realities of what a drug test might detect.
• While the general rule is that most substances clear from the body within a few days to a week, some drugs—especially those that are fat-soluble like marijuana—can linger much longer.
• To grasp the ins and outs of cannabis detectability in your urine, it’s pivotal to unpack the journey of THC after consumption.
• Additionally, those considering recovery should be aware of detox timelines, as withdrawal symptoms often align with the body clearing the substance.
• And while a 1984 study testing chronic users at a cutoff of 50 ng/mL showed a maximum of 40 days to get clean, 8 out of the 10 subjects needed only 13 days to show their first negative.

If you rarely use cannabis, it will only be detectable in your urine for a few days, generally 3-4 days at most. It’s unlikely that you’ll fail a standard urine drug test with the federally-recommended 50 ng/mL cutoff for more than 21 days. If it’s the first time you’ve used cannabis, you’ll probably be clear for the test within 3 to 5 days. For regular users, cannabis will be detectable in Alcohol Use Disorder your urine for between 7 and 21 days on average, and possibly longer in some cases.

Time Available

In general, you don’t need to worry too much about blood tests if you use cannabis. They are a rarity, and as long as you have enough warning to “prepare” for the screening, you should be okay. Typically, THC is detectable for the least amount of time in saliva. This is excellent news for those set to undergo a saliva test. Coincidentally, this is a popular method used by traffic police.

How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System?

Understanding how long weed stays in your system is essential for quite a few different reasons. Whether you’re preparing for a drug screening, planning your career, or considering a tolerance break, it’s important to understand the various factors that affect detection times. Once consumed, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to various organs, including the brain, where it exerts its psychoactive effects. The liver metabolizes THC, breaking it down into several byproducts, which are then excreted over time. The answer to how long marijuana stays in your system lies in understanding not just the body’s interaction with THC but also the different testing methods used to detect it. The immediate effects of THC typically last 2-8 hours, depending on consumption method and dosage.

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Truly, ARCannabisClinic is the only full-service one-stop-shop in the industry serving medical marijuana patients. Marijuana, with all its joys and nuances, can be a tricky thing when it comes to detection times. Whether you’re prepping for a new job or just curious, it’s essential to know how your body processes how long does weed stay in your system and retains THC. There’s a myth out there that guzzling lots of water can help you pass a urine drug test by diluting the urine sample. While it might reduce the concentration of THC metabolites temporarily, don’t think you can cheat the system easily.

Testing for THC itself (Lee et. al., 2011) only showed positive results for 2 days in everyday smokers, but for THC-COOH, there was a median detection time of 13 days. Drug tests for cannabis — also known as marijuana, weed, or pot — measure THC and its metabolites. Urine and hair tests have a longer detection window from 1–90 days after the last use.