You have a drug screening coming up, and you’re wondering if Delta-8 THC can cause you to test positive. The short answer? Yes. Delta-8 can show up on drug tests. Ultimately, whether or not it leads to a positive result comes down to some of the following factors.

Delta-8 and Drug Screenings

How recently you used Delta-8

One of the biggest factors in whether or not Delta-8 shows up on a drug test is how long ago you used it. When it comes to drug testing, sometimes just a few days — or even a few hours — can make the difference between a positive and negative result.

The tricky part is that determining if you used Delta-8 too recently to pass a drug test depends on things like the type of Delta-8 product you used, the quantity of Delta-8 taken, and the type of drug test you’re taking. This is because different types of drug tests detect traces of Delta-8 and other cannabinoids to different extents.

The type of drug test administered

While it’s never an exact science, here are some standard drug test types you’ll come across and a rough idea of how each one works.

• Urine tests. These are the most common types of drug tests. Typically, urine drug tests can detect cannabis for up to 30 days after it was last used, but this number can increase the more frequently and heavily you use cannabis.

• Hair tests. It may seem like a stretch, but hair follicle tests are known to detect THC for up to 90 days after use. This is because cannabinoids like Delta-8 reach your hair follicles through your blood vessels.

• Saliva tests. Generally speaking, a saliva test can detect THC for up to 24 hours after use. But the frequent smoking of cannabis has been known to extend this window by multiple days.

• Blood tests. Most often, blood tests will only detect cannabis for up to 12 hours since it was last used. But just like with the other types, more frequent and heavy cannabis use can cause this number to go up.

How frequently you use Delta-8

For many of the tests above, the more frequent the use of Delta-8 or other cannabinoids is, the wider the detection window becomes. This is something to keep in mind if you’re a regular cannabis user, as well as if you’re a first-time Delta-8 user without any prior traces of the cannabinoid in your system.

The quantity of Delta-8 you consume

Along the same lines as frequency, the quantity of Delta-8 you used (or typically use) can be equally important. For certain test types, light users and heavy users can receive different results, even if the timeframe when they last used Delta-8 was the same. There’s no hard and fast rule for the amount of THC you need to take to meet this threshold, but higher doses will typically stay in your system longer than lower doses.

How you consumed Delta-8

Just like with other forms of THC, there are many different ways to ingest Delta-8 — and different products can stay in your system for different lengths of time. Generally speaking, it’s believed that Delta-8 edibles like gummies, candies, or tinctures, may stay in your system slightly longer than if you were to smoke or use a Delta-8 vape.

Your unique metabolic system

It may seem strange, but everyone metabolizes cannabis differently. How long Delta-8 stays in your system ultimately depends on your unique metabolism. As your body breaks down cannabis, it produces small molecules called metabolites. Drug tests specifically search for these molecules, which is why they can detect substances for days, weeks, or even months after you’ve last used them.

Part of the reason that the frequency of cannabis use is such a key factor in all of this is that more frequent use can culminate in a higher baseline concentration of THC metabolites. The higher that baseline is, the longer it’ll take for the metabolites to fully exit your system.

More frequently asked questions

Now that you know a little bit more about Delta-8 and drug testing, here's some additional information about Delta-8 THC.

What is Delta-8?

Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8 THC for short), is one of more than 100 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant — also called the hemp plant. From non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) to intoxicating Delta-9 THC (the cannabinoid typically associated with classic weed or marijuana), every cannabinoid offers unique effects and benefits.

The effects of Delta-8 THC are known to be very similar to Delta-9 THC, except that they’re more subdued. This is because while Delta-8 and Delta-9 have nearly identical chemical structures, Delta-8 binds to the body’s cannabinoid receptors less strongly than Delta-9 does — resulting in milder effects. Delta-8 is still psychoactive, but it’s known to promote a less intense and potent high.

Is Delta-8 legal?

When it comes to legal status, Delta-8 is 100% federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, rendering all hemp and hemp-derived products federally legal. Hemp products are defined as cannabis products containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis, so all Delta-8 products that meet this legal limit enjoy federal legality. In terms of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Delta-8 has not been approved for medical use.

Does Delta-8 have risks?

As a form of THC, the potential side effects of Delta-8 THC are similar to those of Delta-9 THC. Users will typically feel relaxed and uplifted but may become panicked or paranoid if they use too much. One unique concern of Delta-8 is that because of how the products are made, products can contain harmful byproducts or contaminants. This can be avoided by only purchasing high-quality Delta-8 from a legal and trusted source.

Can you detox from Delta-8?

If you’re worried about drug test results, you may be wondering if there’s a way to detox from Delta-8 before undergoing a test. While some sources will advertise certain detox programs or drug testing solutions, they’re generally unreliable. We’d recommend avoiding THC products if you have an upcoming drug test or contacting a healthcare professional before attempting to detox from Delta-8 or any other cannabinoids ahead of a drug test.

High-Quality Delta 8 Products

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