How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in Your System?

If you consume cannabis products that contain Delta 9 THC and have an upcoming drug test, you’re likely curious how long THC will stay in your system.

The last thing anyone wants to do is fail a drug test.

If you’ve recently used products with Delta 9 or other THC isomers, knowing how long D9 stays in your system is essential if you want to test positive.

Here we’ll explore everything you need to know about how long Delta 9 will stay in your system, different types of drug tests and things you can do to avoid testing positive.

Keep reading to learn how not to fail a drug test.

Key Takeaways

• There are several factors that influence how long Delta 9 THC will stay in your system, including how often you consume cannabis, your tolerance level, metabolism and more.
• There are several drug test types, including urine, blood, saliva and hair follicle tests.
• Abstaining from cannabis use is the best way to reduce Delta 9 levels in your system before a drug test.

Understanding Delta 9 THC

Delta 9 THC is the main chemical compound found in cannabis plants.

Famous for its euphoric and therapeutic effects, Delta 9 is consumed widely for both recreational and medicinal use.

Whether you smoke THC, prefer Delta 9 THC gummies or like to take your THC in a tincture, once it’s consumed the body breaks the compound down into other chemical compounds known as THC metabolites.

These metabolites are the primary targets of any drug test screen, whether urine, follicle or blood tests.

If you think using full spectrum CBD oil or legal hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight would save you from positive results in a standard drug test, think again.

Most drug tests are designed to detect THC metabolites, regardless of their source.

This is why it’s vital to understand what influences the detection of Delta 9 and THC metabolites.

Knowing this is the first step to testing negative.

What Things Affect How Long Delta 9 THC Will Stay in Your System?

There are several things that affect how long D9 stays in your system.

If you smoke weed all day everyday, it’s going to linger in your system longer than if you consume cannabis a couple times a month.

Yes, the more THC you consume, the longer it will stay in your system.

Your own unique physiology is another factor. Your metabolism, weight, age and more all play a part in the length the cannabinoid will stay in your system.

There’s also the potency of the products to consider. The more potent the product you consume, the longer it will stick around.

Let’s delve deeper into each of these factors to better understand how they affect how long D9 stays in the system.

Because ultimately, it’s these factors that will determine your drug test results.

Consumption Frequency

The more you consume Delta 9 THC products, the longer THC will stay in your system.

The more you use it, the higher the concentration of Delta 9 in your body. This immediately opens the door to a longer detection window in drug tests.

If you only use THC products occasionally, it will make its way out of the system much more quickly. Occasional users may only have detectable levels of Delta 9 for up to three days.

Frequent users, on the other hand, might have detectable levels of Delta 9 for up to 28 days or longer.

Heavy cannabis consumers could have Delta 9 in their system for up to three months.

Basically, if you have an upcoming drug test, being aware of your consumption frequency is crucial to determine the likelihood you’ll test positive.

Individual Physiology

Your unique physiology also plays a significant role in how long Delta 9 stays in your system.

Your age, weight, liver enzymes and more can all impact the detection time of THC metabolites in drug tests.

It’s suggested that the older you are, the more likely you have a positive result. This is because older adults tend to metabolize substances slower than younger adults.

Something else to keep in mind is that Delta 9 is stored in fat cells, meaning weight will play a huge role in detecting D9.

If you have a higher BMI, it’s going to take longer to eliminate Delta 9 from your system than someone with very little body fat.

Then you’ve got the liver enzymes that are responsible for breaking down THC and other compounds.

Those with average or higher amounts of these enzymes can effectively metabolize THC, which may decrease detection time in urine tests.

It’s essential to keep all these individual factors in mind when estimating how long Delta 9 will stay in your system.

Delta 9 Potency

The potency of a Delta 9 product can also impact how long it stays in your system.

Higher potency products result in a higher concentration of Delta 9 in the body, leading to longer detection times in drug tests.

Knowing that higher potency products will impact detection time, you can make informed decisions about your cannabis consumption and reduce your risk of a positive test.

To avoid a positive test result, it’s honestly just best to steer clear of Delta 9 products for a while.

If you know you have a drug test coming, consider taking a tolerance break.

A month up to three months off is common for consumers who are subject to regular drug tests, and it can actually make you appreciate cannabis even more.

How Drug Test Types Affect Delta 9 Detection

The type of drug testing you take will largely affect Delta 9 detection.

The most common drug tests are urine, blood, saliva and hair follicle tests.

Here we’ll take a closer look at each drug testing type and the results you might expect if you’ve got Delta 9 in your system.

Urine Tests

Urine tests, also known as urine drug tests, are the most common drug tests for Delta 9 detection due to their affordability and ease of use.

The detection period for Delta 9 in urine tests can range from a few days up to three months, depending on factors such as frequency of use and individual metabolism.

Urine drug tests are designed to identify THC and its metabolites, as well as other various substances.

One interesting aspect of urine tests is that hydration levels can impact the results.

Drinking a lot of water before a test can dilute the urine, making it more difficult for the test to find THC metabolites.

This method isn’t foolproof, though. And it’s essential to remember that the best way to avoid a positive result is by abstaining from Delta 9 consumption before an upcoming test.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can detect Delta 9 more quickly than urine tests.

A blood test will detect THC as soon as a few hours up to consumption, but can only do so for up to two days.

This is why blood tests aren’t used as commonly as other methods for THC detection.

Saliva Tests

Like blood tests, saliva tests have a relatively short detection window for Delta 9, typically ranging from 12- 24 hours.

This makes them an ideal choice for roadside drug tests, where law enforcement officers need to quickly determine if a driver is under the influence of cannabis.

Despite their short detection window, saliva tests can still find THC and its metabolites, so it’s something crucial to be aware of.

The short detection window of saliva tests can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on your usage habits and the specific testing situation.

If you know you have an upcoming test that will use your saliva to detect drug use, you can make an informed decision about your cannabis consumption so you can avoid a positive test.

Hair Follicle Tests

Hair follicle tests, or hair drug testing, can detect Delta 9 up to 90 days after consumption.

Because these tests are less reliable due to potential contamination from second-hand smoke or contact with cannabis products, they’re not used as commonly as urine tests.

Testing hair follicles for THC is also more expensive and complex than other tests, making them less practical for routine drug screens.

Even though hair follicle testing isn’t too common, understanding more about them can help you better assess any risk of a positive test so you can make informed decisions about your cannabis consumption beforehand.

Risks of Failing a Drug Test Due to Delta 9

Consuming Delta 9 THC, even if it’s derived from legal hemp, can lead to a positive drug test result.

This can ultimately have extremely significant consequences on your life.

If you fail a drug test it can impact your job prospects, or make you lose your job if you company does not permit cannabis use.

For others that fail a drug test, it can lead to losing custody of their children.

There aren’t any drug screenings that take kindly to cannabis or controlled substance use.

The legality of Delta 9 THC varies from state to state and country to country, so it’s essential to check local laws before purchasing or consuming Delta 9 products.

The US Federal Government, for example, has legalized Delta 9 THC at the federal level as long as it is derived from hemp and the concentration does not exceed 0.3% of the dry weight of the product.

However, drug tests still detect THC metabolites, regardless of if Delta 9 sourced from legal hemp cannabis plants or marijuana plants.

Tips to Remove Delta 9 from Your System

Want to know how to remove Delta 9 from your system fast?

Well, the most effective strategy to remove whatever Delta 9 is in your system is to abstain from cannabis products altogether.

While some may turn to detox kits to speed up the elimination process, these methods may not work as quickly or effectively as simply letting your body naturally clear out Delta 9 over time.

By avoiding cannabis consumption and allowing your body to metabolize and eliminate Delta 9, you can minimize the risk of a positive drug test and avoid the potential consequences.

Keep in mind that if you’re up for a urine test and you know there’s still Delta 9 in your system, you might consider using a synthetic urine kit which could give you the negative results you desire.

Wrapping Up

How long Delta 9 stays in your system comes down to how often you use it, your metabolism, age and other factors.

The more THC you have in your system, the longer it’s going to stay there.

Same goes with how potent your product is.

If cannabis concentrates are your thing, expect THC to stay in your system longer than if you eat a few occasional 10mg Delta 9 gummies or take a Delta 9 THC tincture sometimes to help you sleep.

Ultimately, the most effective strategy for removing Delta 9 from your system is to abstain from cannabis products altogether, allowing your body to naturally clear out and minimize the risk of a positive result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Delta 9 show up on a urine test?

Yes, Delta 9 will show up on a urine test for up to a month or longer depending how frequently you use cannabis.

How long does Delta 9 take to get out of your system?

If you’re wondering how long does Delta 9 stick around in your system, it all depends on the things we mentioned above, including frequency of use, metabolism, age and other factors. It can take a few days to several months for Delta 9 to completely leave your system, depending on the individual and dose consumed.

Are urine tests the most common type of drug test for detecting Delta 9 THC?

Yes, urine tests are the most common type of drug test for detecting Delta 9 THC metabolites. They are also the most accurate and reliable method for detecting THC in the body.

Can I use detox kits to remove Delta 9 from my system more quickly?

You can try, but they don’t always work to avoid a positive result on a drug screening. The most effective way is to abstain from cannabis products if you are subject to regular drug tests or have an upcoming drug screening.

What can I do to avoid testing positive on a drug test due to Delta 9 consumption?

To avoid a positive drug test due to Delta 9 consumption, it’s best to stop using cannabis products before your upcoming drug test so you can allow the body time to metabolize and eliminate Delta 9. This is especially important for those who are subject to regular drug testing, such as athletes, military personnel and those in certain professions.