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How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System After Quitting?
How long does weed stay in your system after quitting? That depends on several factors including your unique biology, the sensitivity of the testing measures, the chemical structure tested for, and the amount of accumulated weed in your body.
The main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana (weed) is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). No matter how much you smoke, the THC you consume accumulates in fatty tissues throughout the body. Although the THC itself may only be detected for a time by certain tests, other metabolites of weed can remain much longer.
While the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved cannabis for recreational use in the United States, some states allow marijuana for medical and recreational use. However, there are still health risks to consider.
High doses or frequent use for over 90 days can increase the risk of heart disease and even a heart attack. THC can also weaken the immune system, making users more susceptible to infections. Because THC stays in the body for varying amounts of time, urine tests or saliva tests may not be entirely accurate for detecting recent use.
If you’re concerned about quitting cannabis, use this guide to help navigate the anxiety of marijuana withdrawal.
About THC in Marijuana
Weed can stay in the body for months after it is used.
The average THC content varies by plant, though 1% to 5% potency is the average. However, advanced growing methods are increasing the amount of THC produced in marijuana plants. Each plant can have different levels of THC from one leaf or flower to another, and there is no way of knowing this without formal testing.
Sinsemilla is derived from the unpollinated female cannabis plant and is preferred for its high THC content (up to 17% THC). When smoking marijuana, the buds or dried flowering parts of the plant are most desirable. They typically have more THC and burn more slowly than the leaves.
Metabolizing THC
Everyone has different rates of metabolism and abilities to absorb THC. Within those differences are varying rates at which the THC molecules, or metabolites, can be formed.
There are at least 80 different metabolites that THC stores in body fat and eliminates through the urine and feces, which also vary according to biological factors of the user.
Here are some important factors that impact how long THC remains in your system:
Body Mass Index
The higher your body mass index (BMI), the longer THC will likely be detectable. This is due in part to the fatty tissue in which THC gets stored.
Metabolism
Having a fast metabolism means your body can metabolize THC at a quicker rate. This reduces detectability considerably.
Physical Activity
Physical activity impacts THC levels.
The more physically active you are, the quicker THC will exit your system. This is closely related to the speed of your metabolism.
Raising your heart rate and sweating also helps to remove chemicals and toxins from the body, including THC.
Immune System
Having a poor immune system or chronic illness, especially liver or kidney disease, will keep THC in your system for longer. Your liver and kidneys, when functioning properly, work to rid chemicals and toxins from the body. When these organs aren’t functioning correctly, the filtration process is prolonged.
How Does Delivery Method Affect THC Levels?
The amount of THC absorbed depends on how often you partake and how you choose to consume marijuana. Here are the two primary ways people ingest weed and how it affects THC levels in the body.
Smoking Pot
After just one inhale of pot smoke, THC is detectable in the body. Smoking is not only the most popular form of pot ingestion, but also the quickest THC delivery method. THC levels in the bloodstream reach their peak within 10 minutes of consumption. However, it only takes about 15 minutes after the last puff for THC levels to drop by 60%.
If you’re an infrequent user, it could only take up to 12 hours for THC to be undetectable in your body. If you’re a repeated user, however, it could take more than three months.
Eating Pot Products
Edible pot products are becoming more prevalent among both medical and recreational users. Unlike with smoking, it takes one to five hours after consuming edible marijuana for THC levels to reach their peak.
How Long Does an Edible Stay in Your System?
Unlike smoked cannabis, edibles can linger for weeks due to slower processing. Studies show THC metabolites stay in your body fat, potentially causing you to fail a drug test even after the effects wear off. Consider abstaining for a significant period before a test.
How Long Does Weed Stay In Your System According to Specific Tests?
The urine test is most popular for marijuana detection.
Urine
The most common test for weed is a urinalysis. Marijuana metabolites can be detected for days, weeks or even months in urine, depending on the cutoff levels and sensitivities of the tests.
Some heavy and chronic users have tested positive for the THC metabolite 10 months after ceasing use. Again, it depends on what tests are being performed. How long does THC stay in urine when you’re overweight? Being overweight will prolong a positive test as the THC will stay in your body longer.
Blood
A blood test, unlike a urinalysis, only detects active THC, or recent marijuana use. This test may be administered if a person is suspected of driving under the influence. Blood tests for weed can show current intoxication up to around 20 hours for THC and some metabolites. These tests are generally not performed except in certain cases because they are expensive and time-consuming.
Saliva
In saliva, the THC molecule of weed is also short-lived, usually around two to 24 hours.
Hair
Hair tests can show use of THC for months, years, or until it falls out. At ½ inch of growth per month a 1and ½ inch strand can show positive up to three months if you used back then.
Learn More About Marijuana Addiction
Now that you know a little more about how long weed stays in your system, are you ready to quit marijuana for good? Despite current changes in legislation and legalization, weed has serious health risks that can adversely affect your entire well-being.
Entering a dedicated treatment program is the best way to remove the substance from your body and start the road to recovery. Treatment specialists can create a personalized plan based around your needs and show you how to live a drug-free life, one day at a time.