Cannabis edibles are confectionery products, beverages and meals with some THC and/or CBD content. They are loved because they are seen to be a better alternative to smoking or vaping marijuana, and they produce a more prolonged and potent high. But their very nature poses questions regarding the time during which they stay in the body and if they impact drug test outcomes.
When you use edibles, they are metabolized in a different way in the body as compared to when you inhale them. It is metabolized in your liver where it is altered into a stronger version. This makes the impact start later but they last longer in the body as compared to the fast acting inhalation.
How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?
How long do edibles stay in your system differs from one individual to another. How long do edibles stay in your system is influenced by factors such as frequency of cannabis use, metabolism rate, body fat mass and hydration levels, among others. Generally, THC can be found in urine for as long as 30 days after cannabis use especially if one is a regular user. In the case of the less frequent user, this duration might be slightly lower at 3 to 10 days.
Blood tests have a relatively shorter window for detection, which may be up to 36 hours in the case of edibles, but this may vary depending on the consumption habits. Saliva tests can identify THC for about 1-3 days while the hair follicle tests can reveal THC use up to a period of 90 days.
Can Edibles Lead to False Positives?
One question that has been raised is if consumption of edibles causes a positive drug analysis result even after quitting edible use. Normally, a drug test should not be a false positive because the test is for the THC metabolites. However, in the process of diagnosing, complications may be experienced in the sensitivity and specificity of the test. In addition, some tests might consider the presence of other substances or relapse to previous marijuana usage as evidence of a current positive test result.
To prevent these issues as much as possible, it is necessary to report any legal and recent cannabis use to the testing administrator since this influences the results’ interpretation.
What Does This Mean for Users?
Knowing these dynamics is important for those who choose edibles, especially if they are planning to use marijuana legally. Understanding how long do edibles stay in your system assists in regulating its usage, most especially for those who undergo lots of drug tests due to employment or otherwise.
It’s also important to understand that edibles could come in different forms and this would dictate how long it takes for THC to be metabolized in the system. Fatty foods may cause the THC detection rate to rise and this may make the substance stay longer in the body.
Conclusion
Edibles have a strong and potential effect in drug tests, largely due to how the body processes THC when consumed in this manner. It is important to consider the variables above when assessing how long THC is likely to remain in your body, and to be familiar with the testing procedures, should you wish to indulge in edibles while avoiding the risk of a failed drug test. It is also imperative to take habitual and legal standards into account when it comes to consumption.