When it comes to cannabis and hemp, we are traversing an entirely new landscape today. As consumers begin to take further control of their wellness with CBD- and cannabinoid-rich products, it prompts the question, “How long does delta-9 stay in your system?”
While you’ll find delta-9 in a wide array of products, even the trace amounts of THC in high-CBD products are important to take into account after consumption.
There’s a lot to consider when diving into the CBD and cannabinoid world, and drug tests are no exception. Stay informed and keep reading, as we explore how long delta-9 stays in your system after use and the individual factors to pay attention to.
Key Takeaways:
- Delta-9 THC is the most common chemical compound in cannabis, associated with the psychoactive “THC” often mentioned in relation to cannabis.
- Delta-9 THC can show up on a drug test, even when consumed from a high-CBD
- The length of time delta 9 stays in your system depends on the type of drug test and additional factors surrounding an individual’s lifestyle and body chemistry.
- The best way to flush delta 9 from your system is to abstain from use and embrace healthy lifestyle habits.
What is Delta-9 THC?
Delta 9, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the main chemical compound found in cannabis plants and encourages psychoactive effects, which prompts the feeling of being “high.”
Delta-9 THC binds to receptors in our brain, producing a series of reactions that result in a wide variety of psychological and physical effects. Delta-9 THC is also distinct from delta 8, a milder form of THC typically manufactured from hemp derived CBD.
While you’ll find delta-9 THC products plentifully in regulated dispensaries in legal cannabis states, the evolving hemp industry has also increased access to hemp-derived delta-9 products to consumers all across the U.S., so long as those products contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
While users may not feel the psychoactive effects of delta-9 THC in these products, that doesn’t mean it won’t show up on a drug test.
Will Delta-9 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?
We won’t beat around the bush: Yes, delta-9, even in trace amounts, can show up on a drug test. Most drug tests are designed to detect THC metabolites in the system, and this includes delta-9 THC.
Delta 9 enters your body after consumption and is absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, it may still be stored in your organs and body fat, only to be released at a later time or metabolized by the body. These metabolites can be tested for in urine, the most common drug testing method, and also in blood, saliva, and hair follicles.
How Long Does Delta 9 CBD Stay in Your System?
To reiterate, a drug test doesn’t single out hemp-derived delta-9 THC in any specific way. THC is THC, and even if you consumed a high-CBD product with trace amounts of THC, it could potentially appear on a drug test, though every test is a little different.
Urine Test
Frequency of delta-9 THC use is crucial when looking at how long it will stay in the system and be detected by a urine test. The less you use delta-9 THC, the quicker it will leave your system.
Those who use delta 9 three to four times a week could test negative as soon as three days after last use and as long as a week. Daily users will likely have to wait at least 15 days after last use to test negative, and those who use delta-9 THC multiple times a day will likely need to wait more than 30 days.
Blood Test
Delta-9 is generally detectable in blood for shorter amounts of time than in urine. People who use delta 9 three to four times a week will likely test negative a couple days after their past use, but those who use cannabis daily or multiple times a day may need to wait up to 25 days for a negative blood test result.
Saliva Test
Delta-9 THC can also be found in saliva drug tests. Those who use delta 9 three to four times a week can expect a negative delta-9 THC saliva test after one to three days, while people who use delta 9 daily or more may need to wait up to 29 days for a negative test result.
How Long Do Delta-9 Gummies Stay in Your System?
Gummies are one of the most popular delta-9 THC consumption methods, and the THC in gummies can still show up on drug tests. It takes your liver longer to break down the delta 9 in edibles, so delta-9 THC in edibles stays in the body longer than inhaled THC. With inhaled THC, levels decline as soon as the effects wear off. In general, the above guidelines apply to delta-9 gummies as well.
It’s important to note that there are many variables that can dictate how long delta 9 remains in your system. For example, a high-CBD gummy with trace amounts of delta 9 will leave your system faster than a high-THC flower strain or gummy offering.
Factors That Influence THC in System
Everybody is different, and delta 9’s life in your system will also depend on a number of specific factors related to your lifestyle habits and body chemistry.
THC Consumption and Frequency
It bears repeating: The more delta-9 you consume, the longer it will stay in your system. The duration also depends on the amount of delta-9 THC in the products you consume, so consumers of high-CBD products with trace amounts of delta 9 will test negative sooner than a consumer who uses high-THC products.
Body Fat
THC is fat soluble, and after consuming delta 9, it can stay in the system longer when it has fat molecules to bind to. That means that people with more body fat metabolize THC slower and may have to wait longer for it to leave their systems than those with less body fat.
Metabolism
People with a high metabolism process and expel THC quicker, so consumers with slower metabolisms may have a longer detection window. There are a number of factors that influence metabolic rate, including age, sex, muscle-to-fat ratio, physical activity, and hormone function, among others.
Hydration
Dehydration can allow higher concentration of THC in the body, but you won’t necessarily pass THC through your system quicker by chugging water. In fact, over-hydrating can result in drug tests that are too diluted and may even result in a retest.
How Do You Flush Delta-9 THC From Your System?
There are countless methods that claim they can quickly flush THC from your system, like detox kits and drinks. These products might do the trick but definitely come with a “buyer beware” warning, meaning you could still test positive when using one of these products. Most prospective employers consider the use of a detox product to avoid a positive THC result the same as a failure, and depending on the position or state you live in, defrauding a drug test may even be illegal.
The best and most risk-averse way to flush delta-9 THC from your system is by abstaining from use in general. Healthy lifestyle habits can also encourage delta 9 to leave your system faster. If you’re looking to quickly flush delta 9 from your system, we recommend these quick tips:
- Stay hydrated. You don’t have to go overboard, but a good rule of thumb is a half-ounce to an ounce of water for each pound you weigh.
- Embrace a healthy diet, and avoid sugary, salty, and fatty foods, or enjoy in moderation, as these can slow your metabolism.
- Exercise regularly. THC is stored in fat cells, and physical exercise burns these cells and increases your metabolism.
Conclusion
The main factors to consider regarding how long delta 9 will stay in your system are the type of drug test, quantity, and frequency of use, though there are a number of other individual factors to take into account.
If you’re looking to try out a high-CBD product but feel weary about the trace amounts of THC, there are plenty of THC-free options out there. Some full-spectrum options are free of THC, while broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate contain no THC. Be sure to check third-party lab results to confirm if products contain delta-9 THC.
It’s important for consumers to stay educated as they dive into the world of hemp-derived CBD and delta-9 THC. Just a little knowledge can go a long way, and everyone deserves to tackle personal wellness on their own terms!
