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Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
Key Takeaways
- THC detection times vary by test type, lasting up to 12 hours in blood, 24-48 hours in saliva, up to 30 days in urine (on the longer side with frequent use), and up to 90 days in hair.
- How long THC takes to completely clear out of the body depends on how it's used and storage in body fat, with occasional users clearing THC in about 5-15 days, while frequent users may take several weeks or months.
- Edibles take longer to kick in than smoking marijuana, but their effects can last for several hours due to how the body processes THC through the liver.
THC from marijuana edibles can linger in your body for weeks or months, with detection varying by usage frequency and testing method. Occasional users generally fare quicker in clearing it, while consistent users might experience prolonged retention.
How Long Can Edibles Be Detected in Drug Tests?
Detection windows vary based on several factors:
- Type of drug test: urine, saliva, blood, or hair
- Amount of THC: the main psychoactive component in marijuana
- Dosage
- Frequency of use
- Individual metabolism
The way you consume marijuana also makes a difference in how quickly THC reaches your system—THC from smoking enters the bloodstream faster than THC from edibles. However, drug tests generally do not distinguish between smoking and consumption of edibles, so detection times are not reported by method of use.
| Detection Period for THC by Type of Test | |
|---|---|
| Type of Test | Detection |
| Urine | 1-30 days |
| Saliva | Up to 24 hours |
| Blood | 2-12 hours |
| Hair | Up to 90 days |
Urine Test
Urine tests are often preferred to check for marijuana use since THC remains in urine longer at higher concentrations. Typically, marijuana can be detected in urine for up to 30 days.
However, the detection period varies with use frequency. For instance, one study of teenagers showed THC detectable in urine for up to one week in occasional users and up to one month for daily users.
Saliva Test
Saliva tests, which use a mouth swab on the cheek or tongue, are less common than urine tests. THC is generally detectable in saliva for up to 24 or 48 hours.
Blood Test
Blood tests are less common for detecting marijuana because THC remains in the bloodstream for a short period, typically two to 12 hours. Thus, blood tests are more common in emergency settings than in routine drug testing.
Hair Test
Hair tests have the longest detection window of any method. Marijuana can often be detected in scalp hair for up to 90 days.
Hair testing is most reliable for people who use marijuana daily or almost daily, and it is less likely to pick up on occasional use. Because of this, hair testing is better for showing patterns of long-term or frequent marijuana use rather than one-time or occasional use.
What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Edibles?
When you eat marijuana (edibles):
- It goes through your digestive system before reaching your bloodstream.
- In the liver, THC is broken down into byproducts such as 11-hydroxy-THC, which is more potent and stays in your body longer.
- About 65% of the THC you ingest eventually leaves through your stool, and about 20% through your urine. Most is cleared within about five days, but a small amount (10–20%) can remain in your system longer because THC is stored in body fat and is slowly released over time.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
The effects of an edible can last up to several hours, with peak blood levels of THC occurring within about three hours.
Studies show that THC's half-life (the time it takes for about half of a substance to be removed from the body) is about one to three days in occasional users and five to 13 days in chronic (long-term) users. This means that marijuana might take about five to 15 days (with occasional use) or 25 to 75 days (with chronic use) to completely clear from your system.
How Long Does Edibles Take to Kick In?
When you smoke marijuana, you will typically notice effects within six to 10 minutes. However, edibles can take one to three hours to kick in. This is because they must first be absorbed through the liver and into the blood.
| | Edibles | Smoking |
| Onset | 1-3 hours | 6-10 minutes |
Due to this delay, people can sometimes think an edible isn't working, and end up taking in larger amounts, which can lead to an overdose. What's more, some edibles contain more THC than labeled, which can cause stronger and longer-lasting effects.
Read the original article on Verywell Health
