The amount of time marijuana remains in your system depends on many factors, such as how much THC is in the marijuana, how often you use, how much you use, and your metabolism. If you’re a daily user, the drug can remain in your system for up to a month or longer.
Detox kits are not scientifically proven to speed up the detox process and may contain unknown chemicals that could be unsafe.
Marijuana Length of Effects
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the effects of marijuana include:
- Distorted senses.
- Altered sense of time.
- Mood changes.
- Impaired coordination.
- Trouble thinking and problem-solving.
- Impaired memory.
Not all users of marijuana enjoy the experience. In fact, many people who use marijuana report unpleasant side effects, such as hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia.
The effects can develop within minutes if the drug is smoked. If eaten, users may not feel any effects for a few hours. The effects normally last 3-4 hours but can last longer if the drug is eaten.
Marijuana does not easily leave the body. Most cannabinoids, including THC, are stored in fat cells. This means that the effects of marijuana or hashish can reoccur for 12-24 hours after use because the chemicals are slowly released from fatty tissue.
How long does THC stay in your system?
The length of time that marijuana will show up on a drug test varies greatly from person to person.
Variables that can affect how long marijuana will show up on a drug test include:
- Dose of THC ingested.
- How often the person used.
- Timing of drug test relative to last use.
- Rate of release of THC or other cannabinoids from tissue.
- Level of hydration.
The amount of THC in marijuana will affect how long it takes for the body to metabolize the drug. However, keep in mind that other factors can affect how long marijuana stays in your system. These include the amount of marijuana you used, how you used it, how often you used, and your metabolism. The amount of THC in the plant is just one variable that will determine how long the drug remains in your system.
Detoxing from Weed
A combination of behavioral therapy and medications may be effective in treating marijuana use disorder.
Contrary to popular belief, marijuana can be addictive. Healthcare practitioners diagnose marijuana addiction based on the presence of certain signs, symptoms, and behavioral changes. In those that meet the diagnostic criteria, marijuana addiction is referred to as a marijuana use disorder or cannabis use disorder. People with the disorder have trouble stopping their use of the drug even though it causes problems in many areas of their lives.
Relying on detox kits and being unable to pass a drug test are some signs that your marijuana use may be more serious than you’re ready to admit. AAC offers many levels of substance abuse treatment, from fully residential inpatient rehab to varying levels of outpatient programs. Our treatment centers are fully credentialed and specialize in evidence-based care to treat all levels of drug and alcohol abuse, and we’re just a quick call away.
According to NIDA, approximately 30% of people who use marijuana will go on to develop a marijuana use disorder. People who begin using the drug before 18 years old are 4 to 7 times more likely to develop an addiction to the drug than those who begin using it in adulthood.
Many people who become addicted to marijuana develop dependence, which means a person’s body comes to rely on the substance to function normally. When a dependent person suddenly stops using marijuana, they can develop withdrawal symptoms.
The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal typically begin within 24-72 hours after last use, peak in intensity during the first week, and last 1-2 weeks. Marijuana-associated withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headache.
- Irritability.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Poor sleep.
- Abdominal pain.
- Decreased appetite.
- Fever/chills.
- Sweating.
- Tremors.
There are not currently any FDA-approved medications that specifically treat marijuana withdrawal, but participation in an addiction treatment program with a medically supervised detox period can help make the process more comfortable. Healthcare professionals may provide supportive care and medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea or headaches. Medications that have shown promise in studies include the sleep aid Ambien, an anti-anxiety drug called BuSpar, and an anticonvulsant drug called gabapentin (Neurontin).
Current scientific study suggests that a combination of behavioral therapy and medications may be effective in treating marijuana use disorder, particularly in people who also struggle with mental health disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management may all be effective behavioral therapeutic interventions for someone with a mental health disorder and marijuana addiction.
Marijuana Show Up In Urine?
The amount of time that marijuana will show up on urine screenings depends largely on how often the individual uses. The following are some basic guidelines on how long the drug will show up on a urine test based on how often you use:
- Less than twice per week smoker: 1-3 days.
- Several times per week smoker: 7-21 days.
- Daily smoker: 30 days or longer.
- Oral ingestion (edibles): 1-5 days.
How Long Does Synthetic Marijuana Stay in Your System?
Synthetic cannabinoids can be detected in drug tests. They can be detected up to 72 hours in urine and up to 24-48 hours in saliva.
That said, some synthetic cannabinoids could have longer long half-lives. That means they could have longer effects and show up in a urine test beyond the timeframe listed above. In addition, the batches of synthetic cannabinoids can vary both in terms of the substances present and their quantity. This increases the risk of overdose.
What About Other Types of Drug Screens?
THC can be detected in saliva within minutes and up to 2 days. Hair testing can typically detect drugs such as marijuana for months after use (up to 90 days).
For blood tests, marijuana can show up on a test for 4-8 hours for people who use several times a week or more, and for 3-4 hours for casual or infrequent users.
Can You Fail a Drug Test From Secondhand Smoke?
You are at risk of failing a drug test if you inhale secondhand marijuana smoke. But the odds are small.
Studies show that very little THC goes into the air when a person exhales marijuana smoke. Research suggests that unless you are in an enclosed space and you inhale lots of smoke for hours at close range, you probably won’t fail a drug test.
The saliva is completely wrong, as is probably most of this. I’m sure it’s mostly just averages, but I can speak from experience that a friend of mine failed his Saliva test after not smoking for over three days.