How Long Does Legal Delta 9 THC Last in the Body?

One of the most game-changing additions to the legal hemp market has been federally compliant delta 9 THC, which allows us to experience all of the effects associated with this cannabinoid in a way that’s fully compliant with federal law.  With federally compliant delta 9 becoming more and more popular, it’s natural that a lot of questions are coming up from people who have an interest in giving the cannabinoid a try.  

Perhaps one of the most important questions of all is how long it takes for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) to fully clear out of the body.  Naturally, this question is mostly asked by people who are drug-tested, and just want to make sure that they’re not doing anything that would cause a positive drug test result.  As you’re about to discover, the answer to that question isn’t as clear-cut as you may have hoped.

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How Long Do the Effects of Federally Compliant Delta 9 THC Typically Last in Our System for?

Federally compliant delta 9 THC is just that – delta 9 THC that fully complies with federal law.  The 2018 Farm Bill determined that all hemp-derived products can be sold legally as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight.  The federally compliant delta 9 that you’ll find on the market comes from the hemp plant and does adhere to this weight requirement.

You’re going to find that this submarket only offers edibles, for the time-being at least.  And there’s a reason why.  For a product to contain only 0.3% delta 9 and still offer an effective high, the dosage must be quite high.  Meanwhile, edibles can come in large portion sizes so that each serving adheres to the law while still containing enough milligrams of delta 9 in that 0.3% to provide the desired effect.  After all, it’s easier to eat a large gummy than to, say, pour a large amount of THC oil below the tongue at once.

That being said, let’s talk about how long the effects of edibles last.  Delta 9 Edibles are the least bioavailable delivery method out there.  This means that the cannabinoid takes the longest to absorb into the body.  But, this also means that the effects last the longest – about 7-8 hours, according to most users.  So, as for how long you’ll actually feel high, 7-8 hours is a safe bet.  Of course, after delta9’s high wears off, it’s still there in the body, getting metabolized before being fully eliminated, mainly through the urine. 

Is There a Duration of Time When Delta 9 THC is Supposed to Leave Our System?

So, exactly how long will delta 9 remain in the body after the actual high has worn off?  Well, a consider length of time, actually.  This is true of basically anything that we consume – after the effects are no longer felt, the metabolization process can drag on for a while.  This is even true of medications that we take, so the hemp plant’s cannabinoids are no different.

It can take anywhere from 2 to 30 days for delta-9 THC to fully clear from the body.  The reason why this range is so great is because there are a lot of factors that play a role in the metabolization process, including how frequently the cannabinoid is used and how a person’s metabolism works.  In most people, about half of the cannabinoid concentration will metabolize within 30 minutes of feeling the effects.  After that, another 25% will metabolize just 30 minutes later.  This leaves about 25% left in the body, and this is the amount that can take a while before it’s fully cleared, because at this stage, metabolization has slowed down quite a bit.

What This Means for Drug-Testing Purposes

The most common way to test for drugs nowadays is through a urine test, which looks for THC usage through searching for the metabolite that breaks down the cannabinoid, known as THC-COOH.  The bottom line is that if THC has not finished metabolizing in your body, you have a high risk of ending up with a positive test result.  Besides urine-testing, there are other methods that are used for various applications.

Method #1: Urine Tests: Urine-testing is by far the most common method, and is used by employers and probation officers.  It looks for THC-COOH in a person’s urine, which can be detected for up to several weeks after the last use.  It’s accurate and inexpensive, as well as generally non-invasive.

Method #2: Saliva Tests: Saliva tests can detect Delta 9THC usage for up to 10 hours after prior use, and that’s why this method is usually reserved for law enforcement, mainly to test people for driving under the influence.

Method #3: Blood Tests: A blood test is only going to determine whether or not a person is actively high, and, is usually performed in a medical environment.  Once the Delta 9 THC leaves the blood, the person is no longer intoxicated.

Method #4: Hair Tests: A hair strand test can only detect Delta 9 THC in the body after 90 days following the last usage.  This method is expensive, and is usually only used for autopsies, to determine if drugs played a role in a person’s death.

Method #5: Perspiration Tests: A perspiration test involves applying a patch to a person’s body for 14 days, during which time THC-COOH may be released through their sweat.  It’s invasive and expensive, and also not the most accurate method, and is usually only used by researchers.

What Actually Plays a Role in How Long Federally Compliant Delta 9 THC Could Normally Last in the Body For? 

We said earlier that a lot of things influence how long it takes for delta 9 to clear from the body, which is why we can’t offer a simple answer to anyone wondering for their own personal reasons.  Consider all of these aspects as they all influence the time it will take to fully metabolize federally compliant delta 9 THC.

#1: Frequency of Use 

How often you’re using federally compliant delta 9 is gonna have a big effect on how long it takes to clear the body.  Taking it daily means that you’re basically creating a traffic jam, in which you’re accumulating the cannabinoid faster than the body is able to metabolize it.  Taking it once a week gives ample time for the body to fully break down each dose.

#2: Delivery Method  

Some delivery methods may take longer to metabolize than others, similarly to what we saw earlier about how each product type can influence the duration of effects.  Taking a delta 9 edible may mean that more time is needed before it’s cleared from the body, with inhalable products clearing the fastest.

#3: Product Strength 

The strength of a delta 9 product also matters.  Similarly, to what we saw with the frequency of usage factor, taking high doses of delta-9 means the body will need more time to metabolize each milligram, since the metabolism may struggle to keep up with the amount that’s being introduced into the body.

#4: Your Metabolism

You may have a fast metabolism which naturally breaks down delta 9 more quickly than others.  This could come from your genetics, your age, your health or lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and water intake.

#5: When You Last Took Delta 9 THC  

Of course, the last time you took delta 9 is going to largely determine how likely it is that it’s still in your body.  Six weeks seems to be the longest period of time during which it can still be present in the body.  

• If you took federally compliant delta-9 yesterday, it’s still in your system.
• If it has been months, you’re in the clear.

#6: Product Quality

Believe it or not, the quality of the Delta 9 THC product you’re taking matters.  If it’s expired, stored improperly, or has been crafted with poor extraction methods, delta 9 may have degraded to the point that it’s not fully absorbing into the body, and instead metabolizing very quickly.

How Long After Using Federally Compliant Delta 9 THC is it Safe to Take Any Type of Medication (Prescription or Non-Prescription)?

We know that THC suppresses CYP3A4 enzyme in the body, which’s critical for breaking down many common medications.  This means that if THC is in the system, it could prevent certain drugs from fully metabolizing, instead causing them to build up in the bloodstream to possibly dangerous levels.

But, a surprising lack of research on the topic means that there is no clear guide as to how to take delta 9 THC if you’re on certain medications.  Basically, you must speak to a doctor if you’re planning to use federally compliant delta 9 while on any type of med(s).

The Bottom Line: Legal Delta 9 Can Last 30 Days In Your System

We know you’re probably frustrated that we cannot offer a specific answer as to how long it will be until delta 9 is fully cleared from the body.  If you’re someone who is drug-tested, such as for work, you’ll want to be extra cautious and consider all of the variables that impact your body’s ability to metabolize the compound.  Since there’s never a way to know for sure how long this process can take, we do recommend that you play it safe and avoid delta 9 THC altogether, should you have a test coming up.  

Also, even if you try to do everything right to avoid testing positive, chances are, there is still a detectable amount in the body for longer than you may think. It can take anywhere from 2 to 30 days for delta-9 THC to fully clear from the body.  The reason why this range is so great is because there are a lot of factors that play a role in the metabolization process, including how frequently the cannabinoid is used and how a person’s metabolism works.

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