Cannabis has been commonly used for recreational and medical purposes after its legalization. A 2021 study suggests that more than 3.8% of the world population uses cannabis. We’ve established that even though there are plenty of positive effects of marijuana, such as pain relief and relaxation, it can also have long-term effects on the brain and body. Today, however, we won’t be discussing the short or long-term side effects of marijuana and will straightaway dive into how long does marijuana stay in your system.
How Long Is Cannabis Detectable?
How long weed stays in your system and is detectable depends on various factors such as:
- Frequency of use
- Method of consumption
- Body fat percentage
- Metabolism
Detection of THC is done via blood, urine, and hair analysis to determine how long does marijuana stay in your system.
How Long is Marijuana Detected in Blood?
Cannabis quickly absorbs into the bloodstream and can be detected in the blood for up to 48 hours after use. But if you’re a frequent user or have a high percentage of body fat, it can stick around for up to a week.
THC gets stored in your fat cells and slowly gets released into your bloodstream over time.
How Long Can Marijuana Be Detected in Saliva?
Drug tests can detect cannabis in saliva for up to 72 hours after use. However, THC can stay in the saliva for up to a week for frequent users. These saliva drug tests are becoming more popular as they are non-invasive and can provide quick results.
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Urine? Can Cannabis Drug Tests Detect?
Cannabis drug tests can detect in urine for up to 30 days after use.
- Single-use can be detected for up to 3 days after use
- Moderate use can be detected between 5 and 7 days after use
- Chronic use can be detected for up to 30 days or more after use
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Hair?
Hair drug tests can detect cannabis use for up to 90 days. These tests are not as standard as urine or saliva drug tests but are often used in legal proceedings or pre-employment screening.
However, compared to other methods of cannabis drug testing, hair tests are considered less reliable. That’s because hair strands can potentially pick up THC from second-hand weed smoke or even physical contact with someone who’s been around cannabis, which could lead to a false positive result.
Takeaways
We’ve covered how to get cannabis out of your system, which could help you prepare for a drug test and detox from weed. Ultimately, blood, saliva, urine, and hair drug tests can be conducted to detect cannabis use as and when required by law. Drug testing is becoming more common in employment and legal settings.
