Even though some countries have legalised the use of marijuana (aka cannabis or weed), it is still illegal in the UK. However, the police and authorities have significantly relaxed their attitude toward the recreational use of marijuana in recent years. And with CBD products gaining momentum for their healing properties, cannabis in all its forms is being more widely used and accepted than ever.
Since using marijuana is still illegal, certain employers still require drug tests for employment. This raises an interesting and important question – how long does weed stay in your system? If you want to know the answer, keep reading!
THC – What Is It and How Does It Affect Drug Tests?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what gives you that euphoric high you get when using marijuana. Frequent use of marijuana causes THC to build up in the body’s fatty tissues quicker than your body can eliminate it. THC can show up on a drug test for many days, weeks, or even months after using weed.
How Long Does Cannabis Last in Your System?
Whether or not a drug test detects cannabis in your system depends on a variety of factors, like:
- How much Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is in the weed.
- The dosage and frequency of use.
- How you consume marijuana.
- Your metabolism rate.
- Your genetics, gender, lifestyle, hydration levels, overall health, and body mass index (BMI).
Urine tests are the most common type of drug test used by employers to detect marijuana use, but saliva, blood, and hair tests can also detect THC in your system.
Due to the many factors affecting how long cannabis stays in your blood, detection times vary from one test to another, some are more accurate than others. Here are the average detection times:
- Urine: 3-7 days
- Blood: 3 hours – 2 days
- Saliva: 1 – 3 days
- Hair: 30 to 90 days
Do CBD Edibles Show Up in Drug Tests?
CBD edibles don’t last very long in your system because they have extremely low levels of THC, so there’s a slim chance of them showing up in drug tests – especially if you just use them once in a while. But just to be sure, steer clear of them for at least 3 days prior to taking any drug test.
You can learn more about CBD and its various applications on our website.
