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How Long Does Weed (Marijuana) Stay in

Your System?
Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, PharmD, MS, FASCP on August
27, 2018 — Written by Carly Vandergriendt

Detection time by drug test Metabolization time

Factors affecting metabolization How to metabolize faster
When effects start When effects stop Takeaway

It varies according to dose

Weed, also known as marijuana or cannabis, is usually detectable in
bodily fluids for 1 to 30 days  after last use. As with other drugs, it may be
detectable in hair for several months.

Weed detection windows depend on how much you smoke or ingest, as

well as how often. In general, higher doses and more frequent use are
associated with longer detection times.

For daily users, cannabis may be detectable for several months after last
use. The longest-reported detection times are more than 90 days.

Read on to find out the detection windows for cannabis in urine, blood,
saliva, hair, and more.
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How long is it detectable via drug testing?
Drug tests measure weed and its by-products, or metabolites. These
metabolites remain in your system long after weed’s effects have worn
off.

Urine testing

According to Mayo Clinic Proceedings, weed is detectable in urine for the

following amounts of time after last use:

Occasional users (up to three times a week): 3 days

Moderate users (four times a week): 5 to 7 days

Chronic users (daily): 10 to 15 days

Chronic heavy users (multiple times a day): more than 30 days

Cannabis metabolites are fat-soluble, which means they bind to fat

molecules in your body. As a result, it can take some time for them to
leave your system.

Urine testing is the most common testing method  .

Blood testing

According to an article in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, weed is typically

detectable in the blood for 1 to 2 days. However, in some cases, it’s been
detected after 25 days. Chronic heavy use increases the length of time
that it can be detected.

Weed is detectable in the bloodstream within seconds of inhalation. It’s

distributed to the tissues. Some of it is reabsorbed in the blood and
broken down. Its metabolites may remain in the bloodstream for days.

Blood testing may be used in laboratory settings or to indicate recent use

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of weed.
Saliva testing

According to a 2014 review  on cannabinoids in oral fluid, weed is

detectable in saliva for the following amounts of time after last use:

Occasional users: 1 to 3 days

Chronic users: 1 to 29 days

Weed can enter the saliva through smoking and exposure to smoke.
However, its metabolites are only present in saliva when weed has been
smoked or ingested.

In jurisdictions where weed is legal, oral fluid may be used for roadside
testing.

Hair testing

Hair follicle tests assess drug use for up to 90 days  . After use, weed
reaches the hair follicles via small blood vessels. Trace amounts may
remain in the hair.

Since hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, a 1.5-inch hair
segment taken close to the scalp can provide a window of weed use for
the past three months.

How long does it take to break down (metabolize)?

The active ingredient in weed is a chemical substance called THC, which
stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. THC that enters your body is
absorbed into the bloodstream.

Some THC is temporarily stored in organs and fatty tissues. In the

kidneys, THC can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

THC is broken down in the liver. It has more than 80 metabolites, but the
most significant ones are 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol) and THCCOOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9- 
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tetrahydrocannabinol).
Drug tests look for these metabolites, which stay in your body longer than
THC. Eventually, THC and its metabolites are excreted in urine and stool.
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What factors affect how long it stays in your

system?
A number of factors affect how long weed stays in your system. Some of
these factors, such as your age, gender, and body mass index (BMI),
aren’t related to the drug itself, but to how your body processes and
metabolizes the drug.

Other factors are related to weed and how you use it. This includes how
much you take (dose) and how often (frequency). Higher doses and more
frequent use tend to increase the amount of time it takes to eliminate
weed from your system.

More potent weed, which is higher in THC, may also stay in your system
for longer. Weed that’s ingested may also remain in your system slightly
longer than weed that’s smoked.

Is there anything you can do to metabolize it

faster?

There isn’t muchA DV
you can do to speed up the amount of time it takes for
ERTISEMENT

weed to leave your system.

Once it’s entered your system, your body needs time to break it down.
Exercising, eating healthy, and staying hydrated may help, but not
drastically.

There are a number of weed detox remedies and kits available on the
internet. Many require drinking a lot of water to dilute your urine, and then
using herbal supplements such as creatinine or vitamin B-12 to mask the
dilution.

These kits don’t work reliably.

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How long does it take to feel the effects?

Weed’s effects appear quickly, usually within 15 to 30 minutes after
smoking. It can take one or two hours to feel weed's effects when it’s
ingested.

Weed’s active ingredients produce a short-term “high.” Common effects

include:

sense of well-being
sense of relaxation

feeling that time is slowing down

giggling or chattiness
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altered sensory perception
Other short-term effects include:

inability to focus

increased appetite
coordination problems

sleepiness

restlessness
rapid heart rate

dry mouth and eyes

confusion

feeling sick or faint

anxiety or paranoia

In rare cases, high doses of weed can cause hallucinations, delusions, and
psychosis.

Smoking or ingesting weed on a regular basis can have additional effects

on your mind and body. You might be at an increased risk of developing:

cognitive impairments

memory impairments
learning impairments

cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke

respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis and lung infections

mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety

hallucinations and psychosis

If you use weed while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, there’s a greater

chance that your baby will have birth defects or problems with brain
development.

How long does it take for the effects to wear off?

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
Weed's short-term effects start to taper off after one to three hours. Some
effects, like memory problems or trouble sleeping, can last a few days.

Researchers don’t know how long the effects of chronic use last. Long-
term effects can last days, weeks, or months after weed use has ended.
Some effects may be permanent.
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The bottom line

Weed may stay in your system anywhere from several days to several
months after last use. Detection windows depend on the drug test used
and other factors, such as whether you smoke or ingest weed on a
regular basis.

 17 sources

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