The presence of weed (cannabis or marijuana as it is also called) drastically reduces over time in the body. However, how long weed can stay in the body and remain detected is a function of many things. The drug test method used, cannabis strain, the amount used, basal metabolic rate, and gender are some of the influencing factors.
Especially considering that the kind of drug testing method matters, this IST Health lifestyle post will discuss how long weed can stay in the body and remain detected with a urine test.
Summary
Urine Drug Test
Urine tests are perhaps the most used drug testing method. Many corporate organizations that worry about the adverse impact of drug use or drug addiction in the workplace subject their staff members to periodic or even sporadic urine drug tests. It is not just used to detect cannabis use, but the use of other drugs – alcohol, cocaine, heroin, meth, and many other hard drugs.
Some of the reasons for this preference are cost, ease, and accuracy. It is also chosen by many because of the time range it can detect marijuana. Besides the urine drug test method, other test methods for the detection of cannabis and/or other hard drugs in the body system include:
- Blood test
- Hair follicle test
- Saliva test
Just like several other drug tests, a urine drug test aimed at detecting weed users will search for the presence of the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana – THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC (the cannabis compound that makes users high) can be easily detected in a person’s system when they first consume weed. However, it soon breaks down into metabolites through the activities of the liver, and a lot of it is lost. This is also why the drug’s effects are best felt in the first hour or first few hours. In other words, the longer THC stays in the body system, the lesser the chances of detection.
How Long Can Urine Test Detect Weed in Your Body System?
The time range in which a urine test can still find THC traces in the body is typically between 3 days to 30 days. The exact time is dependent on:
- The frequency of use
- The amount used
- The strain used
- The Basal Metabolic Rate of the user
- The person’s gender
There are a few other determining factors. However, the aforementioned are some of the most important in determining how long urine tests can find marijuana in the body.
Frequency of Use
After a few days, it is very hard or nearly impossible for a urine test to detect THC in the body system of people who seldom use cannabis. The same does not apply to chronic users as they do not eliminate THC as much as they consume this euphoric high compound from cannabis. As a result of their frequent use, THC gets stored in body fat; making it hard to eliminate.
For some very chronic users, a urine test can still detect THC which indicates marijuana usage up to 30 days after use. For such times, a detox would be the best option to help in getting rid of the piled-up THC.
Amount of Cannabis Used
Other than frequent or light usage, how much marijuana is used does matter. The chances of testing positive for cannabis use even after several days are high if a lot of weed was consumed.
Strain Used
There are several strains of weed and they do not have the same amounts of THC in them. Some have a higher THC concentration than others. So, the strain of weed used does matter as well.
Basal Metabolic Rate
How fast or slow the body breaks down THC is a major factor in determining how long a urine test can find weed. Some people break down this cannabis compound faster than others.
Gender
Female users are more likely to test positive for a longer period. This is because women usually have higher levels of fat than their male counterparts.
As pointed out earlier, there are other determining factors as well. Activity level is one of them. This is because those who intentionally or subconsciously engage in activities that help them lose so much weight will let out THC faster.
Recovery from Drug Addiction Is Important
A lot of people are more concerned about this kind of information to scale through a drug test. But more important is your health. This is why medical and psychological treatment should be sought by people who have addiction problems. This should be done in a good rehab facility as it is an important and lasting step toward recovery.
Other posts on this website can be read to keep you well-informed. For example, you can read this lifestyle-related article on how a black man can find a capable therapist.