How Long Does Medical Marijuana Stay in Your System?

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs worldwide. While some consume it for recreational purposes, others utilize it for its medicinal benefits. However, a common concern among users is how long THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, lingers in the body. In this article, we’ll explore the complexities of THC retention in the human body and provide a comprehensive guide to understanding how long marijuana stays in your system.

How Long Does Cannabis Stay in Your System?

The duration marijuana stays in your system is variable and depends on several factors, including the potency of the marijuana and your individual metabolism. Typically, THC–the active compound in marijuana–lingers in the blood for one to two days after a single use. That said, for heavier marijuana users, THC may be detectable for weeks or even months.

According to research by Mayo Clinic Laboratories, THC is generally detectable in a drug test accordingly:

• Occasional marijuana use (3 times a week or less): Detectable within 3 days
• Moderate marijuana use (4 times a week or less): Detectable within 5 to 7 days
• Regular marijuana use (daily): Detectable within 10 to 15 days
• Heavy marijuana use (multiple times a day): Detectable for more than 30 days

What Factors Affect How Long Weed Stays in Your System?

Factors that determine how long weed remains in a person’s system are multifaceted and vary among individuals. These factors include:

• Frequency of use – Regular users are likely to retain THC in their systems for longer than occasional users.
• Body mass – Body mass plays a significant role, as THC is lipophilic and tends to accumulate in fatty tissues, prolonging detection times in individuals with higher body fat percentages.
• Metabolism – Users with faster metabolisms may process and eliminate cannabinoids more rapidly than those with slower metabolic rates.
• Potency of the cannabis – Marijuana with higher levels of THC is likely to stay in your system longer. Typically, edibles are more likely to remain detectable in your system longer than smoking.
• Hydration levels – Dehydration can increase the potency of THC, while drinking enough water can help flush the drug from your system. Be aware, however, that drinking water is unlikely to affect the outcome of a drug test.

Also note that the sensitivity of a given drug test can affect results. Most standard drug tests in the U.S. use a cutoff of 50 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL) for cannabinoids, which is likely to detect THC levels in the urine if you have consumed marijuana in the last few days. More sensitive tests, such as those with a cutoff at 20 ng/mL, are rarer but might detect marijuana as far back as 30 days.

How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your Urine?

How long marijuana stays in your urine depends upon several factors, including your frequency of use, body fat percentage, metabolism, and the potency of the marijuana consumed. Occasional users may find that marijuana is detectable in their urine for up to three days, while regular users may discover it can be found for up to 30 days after their last use.

Some heavy users have reported detection windows even longer, indicating a great degree of variability from person to person.