Delta 9 (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, Delta 9 THC, D9 THC, D9, or THC) is a popular cannabinoid with potent euphoric effects and wellness benefits. It’s often what people think of when they hear the term cannabis, making it the world’s most popular euphoric cannabinoid. Those who enjoy it every day will have high amounts of the cannabinoid in their system. If a drug test is on the horizon, they might find themselves Googling “How long does Delta 9 stay in system?” If this is you, you deserve a straightforward answer; unfortunately, the answer is more complex than you think.
Most people want to know how long Delta 9 THC stays in your system if they are taking a drug test. However, some people may want this information purely for personal health purposes. There is no one answer regarding how long Delta 9 THC stays in your system. Its duration varies depending on several factors, such as how much THC you regularly consume, your metabolism, and the type of drug test you take. This article will break down how long Delta 9 THC is detectable in your system by various drug tests, how you can help expel it from your body, and steps you can take to ensure you avoid a positive drug test result.
What Is Delta 9 THC?
Delta 9 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana plants. It provides euphoric effects and potential health benefits. Many people use it for medical and recreational purposes.
The cannabinoid owes its potency to its chemical structure. It has a double bond on the ninth carbon chain, so it strongly interacts with the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. It also reacts with the CB2 receptors to produce wellness benefits such as physical discomfort relief, joint support, and relaxation.
The Farm Bill of 2018 legalized hemp-derived Delta 9 THC products with a total THC content of 0.3% or less. Although these products are federally legal, state laws vary. Many states align with the Farm Bill. Other states allow cannabis despite its THC concentration and origin. In some states, THC is illegal. As we mentioned, Delta 9 THC can be hemp-derived, but it is often sourced from the marijuana plant, which generally has higher THC concentrations than hemp plants.
The cannabinoid is extremely versatile with various products available for your enjoyment. Delta 9 THC can be consumed in edibles, vapes, pipes, joints, oils, gummies, sweets, and the list goes on. You may wonder if certain consumption methods lead to Delta 9 THC being present in your system longer. For example, fans of gummies may wonder, “How long does Delta 9 gummies stay in your system?” The truth is there is no evidence that consumption methods affect cannabis duration alone. Many factors, such as body fat percentage, metabolism, body chemistry, tolerance, and frequency of use, determine how long THC stays in your system.
How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in System?
So, how long does D9 stay in your system? The amount of time Delta 9 stays in your system varies depending on your frequency of use and the type of drug test being used to detect Delta 9 THC.
Here’s a breakdown of each drug test and what you can expect.
- Urine Tests. A urine test is the most common type of drug test. They are commonly used by companies who wish to test employees for drug use. They detect THC metabolites for up to 30 days.
- Blood Tests. Law enforcement officials often use blood tests to determine whether a suspect is under the influence. These tests work well in these instances because they can be forced if necessary. However, they can only detect drugs in the system for up to 24 hours.
- Saliva Tests. A saliva test is rarely used. However, scientists have recently designed a saliva-based detector that can detect THC metabolites quickly, making them an ideal tool for law enforcement officials looking for intoxicated drivers on the road. Saliva tests can detect THC for up to 24 hours. However, the window could be extended to 30 hours if the subject smoked a THC cigarette and 44 hours if the subject ate an edible.
- Hair Tests. A hair test has a longer detection window and is the most sensitive type of drug test. Hair tests can detect THC use for up to 90 days. However, it tests the oil in the skin that transfers to hair and often produces a false positive test result. Hence, it is rarely used.
How Can I Detox From THC To Pass an Upcoming Drug Test?
A person facing a THC drug test may use certain methods to detox from THC quickly. Here are some you can try if you have an upcoming drug test.
- Drink Lots of Water. Staying hydrated can help flush THC from your system. However, if you drink mass quantities of water, you could set off a trigger on standard drug tests. Some say cranberry juice produces similar effects, but this has not been proven.
- Exercise. Physical exercise causes you to sweat, which could flush THC out of your system. It can also reduce fat tissue, and cannabis binds to fat, so fat reduction could be helpful.
- Eat Fiber-Rich Foods. Fiber boosts your digestive system, adding bulk to your stool and aiding with toxin and waste elimination.
- Detox or Flush Products. Several detox and flush products on the market, including drinks, pills, and diuretics, reportedly dilute urine and reduce THC metabolite concentration. However, many of these products are not trustworthy and could have varying effects.
- Fake Urine. Synthetic urine products may be purchased on the market and used to substitute the real thing in urine tests. However, many lack critical substances found in urine and are easily called out as fake. We do not recommend you use synthetic urine products since it is considered cheating on a drug test. If you are found cheating on drug testing, the results could be unpleasant, to say the least.
- Specimen Integrity Disruption. Certain products and minerals can be added to urine samples to break down THC metabolites. Zinc, iodine, papain, and Visine eye drops may be helpful in this capacity. However, they only make detection difficult, so you may have to retest. Additionally, your company could suspect you of tampering. Like synthetic urine, we do not recommend that you go this route to detox from THC.
These products affect how long does Delta 9 stay in your system. However, there are no guarantees. It is best to refrain from use when facing an upcoming drug test. We recommend that you stop taking Delta 9 THC products for an extended period prior to drug testing. This may be hard for chronic users, and by no means will it guarantee a negative result, but it’s a good starting point.
Is Delta 9 THC Legal?
Yes, hemp-derived Delta 9 THC is legal as long as products containing it do not exceed 0.3% THC. However, the law is more complicated regarding this popular cannabinoid. The legality of Delta 9 THC varies depending on its source, potency, and where it’s being used. As we mentioned, if the cannabinoid is sourced from the hemp cannabis plant and contains a THC content of 0.3% or less, it is federally legal and legal in many states.
However, Delta 9 is often sourced from marijuana and has a high THC concentration. Under those conditions, it would only be legal in certain states where marijuana is legal for recreational or medicinal use.
Even though marijuana is legal in some states, some companies do not allow their workers to indulge. However, many companies have become more lenient on drug testing over the years, considering increased legalization. However, organizations that require workers to operate heavy machinery, work with children, or require specialized skills may still mandate drug testing. Drug tests are common in industries like government, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and transportation.
FAQs about How Long Does D9 Stay in Your System
How Can I Flush Delta 9 THC Out of My System Quickly?
Certain methods may help you flush Delta 9 THC from your body quickly. For example, you may drink a lot of water, exercise, use detox products, or eat fiber to flush your system. However, these methods are not guaranteed, and you may still fail a drug test.
Do Detox Drinks Help Remove Delta 9 From the Body?
Some detox drinks can flush you out so THC does not stay in your system as long. However, these drinks may not be effective. You must consider the quality and ingredients and look at consumer reviews to determine if they work. But even then, you are taking a risk.
What’s the Fastest Way to Clear Delta 9 From the Body?
There is no fastest way to clear Delta 9 THC from the body. Although exercise, drinking water, eating fiber, and detox drinks can help, none have proven results concerning how long they will take to break down THC metabolites. You may use these methods and still test positive on most drug tests.
How Long Is Delta 9 Detectable in Urine?
A urine test will detect THC metabolites in your system for up to 30 days. Although some methods say they will flush THC from your system, it’s best to refrain from using cannabis for at least 30 days before a drug test to ensure a negative result.
Do Detox Products Work for Delta 9?
Yes, they do work, and several detox products on the market may help flush Delta 9 THC from your system. However, they may not be effective. Even if they are effective, there is no saying whether they will fully flush the THC and how long they will take to eliminate THC. It’s best to refrain from using cannabis at least a month before a drug test to be on the safe side.
Final Thoughts- How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in System? [Learn 4 Important Drug Test Timeframes]
If you are facing an upcoming drug test, you may wonder how long Delta 9 THC will stay in your system. This varies depending on your biology, your body’s metabolism, how often you use THC, your dosage, and other factors. Detection windows also vary depending on the type of test you take.
Since urine tests are the most common type of drug testing, it is best to refrain from drug use for at least 30 days before your next test. This ensures a negative result so you can keep your job and enjoy other benefits of negative testing. Good luck playing by your company’s rules, and enjoy your Delta 9 THC products responsibly!
