Will Delta-9 THC Show Up in a Drug Test?

So, you’ve been enjoying a few of our delta-9 THC gummies, but now you’re wondering if they could lead to a failed drug test. In short, yes— and other forms of THC might too. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about delta-9 THC, how it interacts with drug tests, and how long it sticks around in your system. So does delta-9 THC show up in drug tests? Here’s what you need to know.

What is Delta-9 THC?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of drug tests, let’s quickly recap THC. Delta-9 THC, or simply THC, is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis plants, including hemp. It’s the chemical responsible for that euphoric feeling, also known as the high. You must be undoubtedly familiar with it if you’ve been enjoying any of our THC products. If you want a more in-depth explanation, don’t forget to check it out in our Cannabinoid Education Series.

The gist is that delta-9 THC, or D9, is the cannabinoid that causes you to feel high, and it can be found in both legal cannabis products and legal hemp products. To make it easy, think of cannabis and hemp as the same plant. We use the terms “hemp” and “cannabis” to identify it based on its THC content. That said, hemp can legally contain only up to 0.3% THC by dry weight. Cannabis contains anything over that amount.

Even though the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp products with less than 0.3% THC, the cannabinoid itself remains illegal at the federal level. That said, many organized sports and workplaces don’t allow THC in your system, and some states ban hemp-derived THC even though it’s federally legal. It’s complicated— we know! All that is to say, you don’t want to test positive for THC. This is especially true if you work somewhere with a zero-tolerance policy.

Does Delta-9 THC Show Up in Drug Tests?

Absolutely, THC does show up on drug tests. But what exactly are these tests detecting? They’re after THC metabolites, which are the byproducts of your body processing THC. THC on its own isn’t detectable. So they’re testing for the byproducts left behind when your body processes THC. As it lasts in your system for a longer time, the test can pinpoint how long ago you used THC and how much of it you used.

These tests detect metabolites. Other forms of THC—such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THCp, and even HHC—can also cause a failed drug test. [1] These compounds are structurally similar to THC and follow the same metabolic pathways, so even though they’re not delta-9 THC, they might still cause those metabolites to appear and flag you positive.

How does the body process THC?

When you consume THC by smoking, vaping, or eating an edible, THC quickly enters your bloodstream. Once THC enters the bloodstream, it travels throughout the body to organs and tissues, including the brain, heart, liver, and fat cells. THC is primarily metabolized in the liver, where it undergoes “oxidation” or “metabolization.” [2] During this process, the body transforms THC into various metabolites, the most notable being 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is more potent than THC and contributes to cannabis’s overall effects when consumed orally.

One unique characteristic of THC is its affinity for fat cells. [3] THC and its metabolites are lipophilic, meaning they bind to and may be stored in fat cells throughout the body. This is one reason why THC may remain in the body for an extended period, especially in people with higher body fat percentages. With that in mind, research also suggests that the more you use THC, the more likely it is to be stored in your fat cells.

Daily users, for example, may have a buildup of THC in their fat cells, which takes longer to completely purge from their system. On the other hand, someone who only takes a hit or two once in a while may process THC faster since it doesn’t stick around in their fat cells.

After metabolism, THC and its metabolites are eventually eliminated from the body. The primary routes of elimination are through urine, feces, and, to a lesser extent, sweat and breath. The kidneys filter THC and its metabolites from the bloodstream into urine, which is then excreted from the body.

What influences a positive THC drug test?

There are a lot of factors that might determine how effective the test will be at detecting THC in your system.

Test Sensitivity: The sensitivity of the test matters; more sensitive tests can detect lower THC doses, and various tests like blood, urine, hair, and saliva have different thresholds.

THC Dose: The amount of THC consumed is crucial. Frequent use and higher THC concentrations in each dose increase the likelihood of testing positive.
Body Fat: Fat cells store THC, so individuals with more body fat may metabolize THC more slowly.
Sex: Generally, females have more body fat than males, potentially leading to slower THC metabolism.
Hydration: Dehydration may concentrate THC in the body, although excessive water consumption is unlikely to affect a drug test significantly. Still, lab technicians may ask you to retest if you’re overhydrated because too much water dilutes your sample and makes the test ineffective. [4]
Exercise: While regular exercise doesn’t notably alter THC metabolism, exercising just before a drug test might increase THC levels temporarily due to the release of stored THC from fat cells. [5]

Metabolism: People with faster metabolisms typically eliminate THC and associated metabolic chemicals more quickly, which might influence the outcome of a drug test.

THC and Drug Tests

Drug tests, such as urine, blood, saliva, sweat, and hair tests, typically target THC metabolites rather than the parent compound itself. These tests may identify the presence of THC metabolites in bodily fluids or hair, indicating recent or past cannabis use.

The body eliminates THC and its metabolites at different rates for different people. The timing depends on factors like frequency of use, metabolism, body fat percentage, and the sensitivity of the drug test. We covered that a lot more in-depth in our last article.

However, one study found several estimates for the time THC is detectable by test type. [6] The following sections provide estimates, so keep in mind that you should avoid all forms of THC if you have a drug test coming up.

How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in Your Urine?

Urine tests are the most popular test for THC since those metabolites might show up in your pee weeks after you use it. [7] The duration of delta-9’s presence in your urine depends on how often you consume cannabis, along with the other factors we mentioned above. Here’s a rough breakdown. Remember, this is just an estimate. [8] Your biological and physiological traits determine how long cannabis stays detectable in your urine. Always err on the side of caution and avoid THC if you’re being drug tested.

Occasional Delta-9 User (3x per week) – up to 3 days
Moderate Delta-9 User (4x per week) – 5 to 7 days
Frequent to Heavy Delta-9 User (daily user) – 15 days or more
Extremely Heavy Delta-9 User (multiple times a day) – 30 days or more

Keep in mind that if you’re an extremely heavy user, it might take even longer for all traces of delta-9 to clear from your body, thanks to those fat cells.

How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in the Blood?

Evidence suggests that blood tests detect cannabis for only a few hours, so people don’t usually use them for THC. However, some tests may be able to detect it for up to 7 days. A good rule of thumb is to avoid it altogether if you’re taking any drug test.

How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in the Saliva?

Like blood tests, saliva tests rarely detect THC because it doesn’t stay detectable for long. THC can usually be found in saliva for up to 24 hours. However, higher doses or concentrated forms of cannabis may be detectable for 30-45 hours after use. [9]

How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in the Hair?

Hair tests are expensive, so they’re not often used for standard drug tests. They’re also notorious for false positives since these tests look for the oils in the skin that transfer to hair. [10] That said, you could theoretically test positive on a hair test just by coming into contact with someone who used THC. Regardless, hair tests might detect THC up to 90 days after use.

How Long Does Delta-9 Stay in the Sweat?

You can find THC in sweat, too. Collecting sweat tests is harder, so people rarely use them to detect THC. Urine tests are more convenient. Still, THC can stay in sweat for up to two weeks.

How to get THC out of your system faster

If you’ve got a drug test coming up and you’re sweating bullets— keep up the good work. The more you hydrate, urinate, and sweat before your test, the better. While it’s impossible to tell how long it will take to flush THC from your system based on your biology and your THC habit, you may help expedite the process by drinking water and exercising.

Drinking water might help dilute urine, potentially lowering THC metabolite concentrations. The more water you consume in the days and weeks leading up to your test, the easier it becomes for your body to flush the system naturally.

Incorporate exercise into your routine to help break down fat cells where THC metabolites are stored. Sweating helps release them. Drinking more water further supports the body’s natural detox process. You can also opt for a fiber-rich diet of foods like leafy green vegetables, which may assist in metabolite elimination through bowel movements.

Many people try vitamins like B2 and B12 to mask THC metabolites. Others use a detox kit, like the ones we sell here at Destino. Detox kits may help the body flush out THC metabolites, but they aren’t foolproof. You might still fail a test after using one. The most reliable way to pass a drug test is to abstain from cannabis. If you can’t afford to fail, avoiding THC altogether is your best option.

Final Thoughts:

To wrap it up, while enjoying THC can be a pleasant experience, it’s essential to understand the potential consequences of drug tests. Remember that the duration of delta-9’s presence in your system varies based on your usage patterns and the type of test you’re facing. Delta-9 THC metabolites might linger in your system for up to 90 days, so if you see drug tests in the future, it’s best to avoid THC for the time being.

At Destino Farms, we’re dedicated to informing you on all things hemp-derived cannabis. Be sure to check out our blog for more information on all of your favorite cannabinoids and products.

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