How Long Does Delta 9 Stay In Your System? 

As much as we all love the effects of THC, many consumers are concerned about how long the compound actually stays in the system. So, when it comes to delta 9 THC, how long can you expect to have it linger in your body? And if you have a drug test coming up, how can you flush D9 from your system?

Below, we’re talking all about how long delta 9 products may stay in your system and how they will affect an upcoming drug test if you have one. Let’s get started. 

What is Delta 9? 

Before we talk about how long delta-9 may stay in the body, let’s first discuss what delta-9 THC is as a whole.

Delta-9 THC has the highest concentration of psychoactive properties among cannabis plant compounds. Hemp plants have very low, typically untraceable amounts of delta-9 THC, while marijuana tends to have much higher percentages. D9 is the cannabinoid responsible for the high effects that people tend to associate with cannabis.

Many people love turning to delta 9 products because of their blissful yet supportive effects, especially when paired with other cannabinoids like D8 or CBD.

These days, you can find Delta 9 products of all types on the market. Products like Delta 9 edibles — including Delta 9 gummies and Delta 9 caramels — are great for consumers seeking potent, long-lasting effects in a tasty form. You can also find other products like D9 tinctures, flowers, pre-rolls, topicals, and so much more. 

Will Delta 9 Show Up on a Drug Test?

When people hear that delta 9 THC is psychoactive, the most common question that pops into mind is: will that show up on a drug test?

Unfortunately, yes, delta 9 THC will show up on a drug test and make you fail. Let’s explain why.

After you consume the D9 cannabinoid, it breaks down in the body and transforms into a metabolite called THC-COOH. This metabolite is what stays present in certain parts of the body long after the actual cannabinoids have disappeared.

However, drug tests, specifically urine drug tests, are looking for this specific metabolite. When these tests look for the presence of “marijuana,” they’re actually picking up the presence of THC-COOH. So, if you’ve consumed delta-9 THC recently, there’s a high chance your body still has THC-COOH present, and a drug test will pick this up.

It’s important to note that this metabolite doesn’t come from just delta-9 THC, either. This metabolite is the result of all THC variants and THC isomers. This includes cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, HHC, THC-O, and THCP.

If you have a drug test coming up, it’s best to avoid consuming these types of cannabinoids to ensure you pass. Of course, once you pass, you’re free to resume enjoying these psychoactive compounds.   

How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in Your Urine?

Now that you know that delta-9 THC may cause you to fail a drug test, it’s important to note how long the cannabinoid stays present in certain parts of the body. With this information, you’ll be able to better understand how long you need to avoid consuming the cannabinoid based on what kind of drug test you’re taking. 

So, let’s start with the most common drug test and answer the question: how long does delta-9 stay in your urine? 

In general, the length of time that delta-9 stays in your urine varies widely based on factors such as frequency and amount of consumption, metabolism, body fat, and overall cannabis tolerance.

With this information in mind, most people find that infrequent consumers (or those who enjoy D9 less than two times a week) may have THC in the urine anywhere from 1-3 days after consumption.

However, if you’re a more moderate consumer and enjoy Delta 9 products two to four times a week, you may continue to test positive for marijuana about 7-21 days after your last dose. Finally, daily consumers are going to have THC in their urine for a long time: typically a month or longer. Some consumers find that they’re still testing positive up to 90 days after they stop consuming delta-9.

Again, these exact numbers will vary depending on other factors. However, you can expect delta 9 THC to stay in your urine for quite some time, especially if you enjoy the cannabinoid frequently.  

How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in the Blood? 

Blood drug tests for cannabis are fairly uncommon and typically only happen in hospital-based settings. However, if you’re getting your blood tested for cannabis, you should note that it doesn’t stay present there nearly as long as in other parts of the body.

If you just had one dose of delta 9 THC, then the compound may stay in the blood for less than a day. More frequent consumers may have the cannabinoid in their blood for about a week, while daily consumers will have it present for a week or so.

Since the cannabinoid doesn’t stay in the blood very long, these types of drug tests are usually used to determine recent consumption. 

How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in the Saliva? 

Along with urine tests, saliva tests are another common way of testing for cannabis consumption. However, similar to blood tests, these drug tests are also used to determine more recent consumption than long-term.

Usually, infrequent consumers will only have delta 9 in their saliva for a day or so, while more occasional consumers may have it present for one to three days. Daily consumers can expect to have delta 9 THC present in their saliva for about a week, though. 

How Long Does Delta 9 Stay in the Hair? 

The last type of drug test you may be subjected to for cannabis consumption is a hair drug test. Like blood tests, this drug test is fairly uncommon, and it’s unlikely you’ll experience one. When you do, however, it’s important to understand how long delta 9 THC stays in your hair.

Hair follicle testing can be used to detect more long-term consumption of cannabis, as the cannabinoid can be picked up long after initial consumption. In general, hair drug tests are able to pick up the presence of delta 9 THC nearly 90 days after consumption. 

This is because when THC gets metabolized in the body, the THC-COOH metabolites move around the bloodstream and then eventually make their way into the hair follicles themselves. As your hair grows, the THC metabolites stay trapped in the hair shafts. 

Factors such as how fast your hair grows, the concentration of the cannabis you consume, and even the color of your hair can affect the outcome of these drug tests. 

Is Delta 9 THC Legal?

Now that we’ve covered the different types of drug tests and how long delta 9 THC stays in different parts of the body, let’s discuss the legality of this cannabinoid overall.

Delta-9 THC is only legal at the federal level when it is hemp-derived, and products cannot contain more than 0.3% THC by weight. If you want marijuana-derived THC or higher amounts, then this is federally illegal in the United States and not covered under the 2018 Farm Bill.

However, many states have taken it upon themselves to legalize cannabis, and this subsequently legalizes delta 9 THC products in those areas for those who qualify.

You may buy delta 9 THC products online, but these products must follow the guidelines of the 2018 Farm Bill in order to be legal. 

How to Flush Delta 9 From Your System?

If you have a drug test coming up and you’ve been enjoying Delta 9, there’s a good chance you may be a little bit (or a lot) panicked. Thankfully, there are some ways you can flush the delta 9 THC out of your system, giving you a better chance at passing your drug test.

Quickly, though, we must stress that there’s no guaranteed method to completely flush the system of THC. However, here are some general approaches that may help speed up the overall detox process:

• Staying hydrated — When you stay hydrated, you’re helping your body detox itself and flush out various compounds, including THC. (Do not drink too much, as excessive drinking can be dangerous.)
• Exercising — Exercising is a great way to flush the system of delta 9 THC quickly. As you burn fat, THC accumulates in your body’s fat cells. It will also help you sweat, further flushing out compounds like THC.
• Eating healthy — A healthy diet is a good way to help your digestive system clear itself of waste more effectively, and this can also help clear the body of delta 9 THC.  

Some people also suggest trying detoxifying drinks like water with fruit, apple cider vinegar, or even green tea. 

What Are the Various Delta 9 Products Available on the Market?

After you’ve passed your drug test, it’s time to celebrate with some high-quality delta 9 THC products — but what are the types of products on the market, and where can you buy them? 

Here at The Hemp Collect, we offer a great selection of THC products, including delta 9 edibles like delta 9 caramels and delta 9 gummies, depending on what your taste buds are craving. These products are made with top-shelf delta 9 THC extracts, giving you the best, most potent experience possible.

All of our products here at The Hemp Collect adhere to the 2018 Farm Bill, and we even have updated COAs to illustrate quality and purity firsthand. 

Final Thoughts

It’s unfortunate that delta 9 THC may cause you to fail a drug test, but it’s reassuring to know that the metabolites won’t last in your system forever. The best way to go into your drug test calm and confident is to stay away from THC for a few weeks and let your body detox naturally. You can then enjoy cannabinoids to their fullest once you have passed your test.