Cannabis can be taken in different forms and the forms dictate how long THC remains in the body. While smoking provides an immediate result, cannabis edibles may keep the effects hidden for some time. This is sometimes unexpected by most consumers.
Whether you are getting high for recreational purposes or need cannabis for medical purposes, it is important to know the number of days you can be tested positively for THC in your system.
Edibles involve taking cannabis-laden food or beverages, and this means the substance will have to pass through the gastrointestinal tract before it reaches the bloodstream. This is not only slower and produces a high that lasts for several hours but also influences how long do edibles stay in your system.
How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System
How long do edibles stay in your system is not quite the same as with smoked cannabis; it differs. THC typically remains in your system for days, if not weeks following consumption; depending on metabolism, body fat, and dosage. In the case of rare consumers, marijuana metabolite, THC in edibles, tends to linger in the urine for up to 3 days. Nevertheless, for those who use marijuana more frequently, THC could still be detected in their systems for a month or even more.
Blood tests generally have a shorter detection period that ranges from a few hours up to a couple of days in detecting THC. However, hair follicle test results can reveal drug use of up to 90 days later and saliva tests usually only register THC for a maximum of 48 hours.
Smoking vs. Edibles: A Detection Time Comparison
The main cause for the difference between the time it takes for detection of smoking and edibles is the circulation of the THC in the blood. Smoking administration makes substances reach the bloodstream in a shorter time through the lungs, and thus, the onset of maximum THC concentration and its elimination are relatively faster in comparison to other routes. THC remains in the body for hours longer following the intake of edibles due to slow digestion and metabolism.
Factors Influencing THC Retention
Here are some things that can influence how long THC can be identified in your system. Fat content is one of the determining factors; people with high body fat retention levels may retain THC for longer since THC dissolves in fats. Another factor is metabolism; your body’s metabolism determines how fast it will metabolize the THC. People with quicker metabolism could eliminate THC from their system in a shorter time than those who metabolize at a slower rate.
Final Thoughts
It is important for anyone who is undergoing the process of a drug test to know how long the THC, from edibles and smoking, stays in their system. It is important to be aware of the distinctions outlined above in order to minimize potential harm from cannabis as a substance, and effectively plan its use.
