Written by Brandon Topp

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 a few different factors.

Let's take a look at those factors, along with some additional key information that you should know about Delta-8 THC.

Table of Contents

• What Is Delta-8 THC?

  • Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 THC: The Big Differences

  • Delta-8 THC Effects

• Is Delta-8 Legal?

• Will Delta-8 Make Me Fail a Drug Test? The Factors

  • How Recently You Used Delta-8

  • The Type of Drug Test Administered

  • How Frequently You Use Delta-8

  • The Amount of Delta-8 You Consume

  • How You Consume Delta-8

  • Your Unique Metabolism

• Delta-8 THC and Drug Test FAQs

• Join The Mood Community & Save 20%

What Is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC, or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis plants.

While Delta-8 THC has many similarities with the more commonly known Delta-9 THC — the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis — Delta-8 offers users unique effects and benefits that are generally milder than what's expected from Delta-9.

Because of this, some cannabis enthusiasts call Delta-8 "diet weed" or refer to it as Delta-9's "nicer younger sibling."

Don't let that fool you, though; Delta-8 is still a powerful cannabinoid that is worth a little research and trying if you're interested in high-quality weed.

Learn More: 8 Types of Cannabinoids and Their Effects

Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 THC: The Big Differences

The main difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC is in their chemical structure within the cannabis plant.

Delta-8 THC has a double bond on the eighth carbon chain, but Delta-9 THC has this same double bond on the ninth carbon chain. This small difference in chemical structure leads to major differences in how each compound interacts with brain receptors, along with different cannabinoids like THCv and THCp.

While Delta-9 THC binds primarily with CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system and produces intense psychoactive effects, Delta-8 THC has a slightly less powerful binding affinity. This means that the "high" from Delta-8 THC is usually milder and more clear-headed.

However, many factors affect each person's experience with Delta-8, including the amount ingested and the consumption method (smoking vs. edibles, for example).

Learn More: HHC vs. Delta-8: Differences, Potency, and More

Delta-8 THC Effects

People refer to Delta-8 THC as a milder alternative to Delta-9. Many users say that the cannabinoid leaves them feeling relaxed, uplifted, and focused — without the intense cerebral effects of Delta-9 THC. This difference makes Delta-8 an ideal choice for folks who prefer a gentler high.

Learn More: Microdosing THC: How It Feels and Why You Should Try It

Is Delta-8 Legal?

. Under the Agriculture Improvement Act — also known as the Farm Bill — in the United States, hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC — including everything in the Mood Shop — are legally available in many states.

Keep in mind that there are still age restrictions on Delta-9's well-known cousin — you need to be at least 21 to order Delta-8 products online from Mood.

It's worth mentioning that the federal government and many states are still evaluating the legal status of recreational marijuana and many substances derived from hemp. Keep an eye on changes to state laws as new cannabinoids start to enter the market.

Learn More: How Is Mood Legal?

Does Delta-8 Show Up on Drug Tests? The Factors

While Delta-8 THC is chemically distinct from Delta-9, the two metabolize in very similar ways. That means Delta-8 can potentially show up on tests.

The big issue is that most standard tests aren’t designed to distinguish between Delta-8 and Delta-9, leading to a positive result if you’ve consumed Delta-8.

This is because tests generally look for THC metabolites or other substances, not the specific type of THC you used. Many factors can affect your results, including the THC products you used, how recently you used them, and the type of drug testing you're facing.

Let's take a closer look at how these factors come into play:

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 variables like the type of Delta-8 product you used, the quantity of Delta-8 taken, and the type of drug test coming up on your calendar.

This is because different types of tests detect traces of Delta-8 and other cannabinoids to different extents.

The Type of Drug Testing Used

You may be at a higher risk of failing a drug test after using Delta-8 THC if you're undergoing a more sophisticated form of lab testing.

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 products 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 are slowly released and reach your hair follicles through your blood vessels.

• Saliva tests. Generally speaking, a saliva test can detect a substance like THC for up to 24 hours after use. However, 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. However, just like with the other types, more frequent and heavy substance use can cause this number to go up.

How Frequently You Use Delta-8

For many of the tests above, the more frequently Delta-8 or other cannabinoids are used, 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 Amount 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 in to meet this threshold, but higher doses will typically stay in your system longer than lower doses.

How You Consume 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 Metabolism

It may seem strange, but everyone metabolizes chemicals in cannabis differently. How long Delta-8 stays in your system ultimately depends on your unique metabolism.

As your body breaks down chemicals in 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.

Delta-8 THC FAQs

Q: What does the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) do, and how does it relate to Delta-8? A: The DEA enforces laws and regulations around controlled substances in the U.S., including cannabis compounds.

Delta-8 THC, derived from hemp with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, falls under the 2018 Farm Bill's legal framework. While some states restrict Delta-8, the DEA has not classified it as a controlled substance when it's Farm Bill-compliant — like the Delta-8 products Mood offers.

Q: What other cannabinoids are found in the cannabis plant besides Delta-8? A: Cannabis contains over 100 known cannabinoids, and each has unique properties.

Besides Delta-8, other notable cannabinoids include CBD (cannabidiol), known for its calming effects; CBG (cannabigerol), often called the "mother of all cannabinoids"; CBN (cannabinol), linked with sleep support; and the well-known Delta-9 THC.

You can find all of these cannabinoids in products in the Mood Shop, along with others like THCp, THCv, and more.

Q: Does Delta-8 have withdrawal symptoms? A: Delta-8 has a low risk of causing withdrawal symptoms, especially compared to more powerful forms of THC like Delta-9.

However, regular use may lead to mild dependency in some people. If someone stops using Delta-8 after prolonged use, they might experience minor effects like changes in mood or sleep, but these symptoms are mild and short-lived.

You can learn more about how to avoid overdoing cannabis use — also known as "greening out" — from the mood blog.

Q: Are there any safety concerns with using Delta-8? A: Delta-8 is safe for most adults when used responsibly, but you should always be mindful of product quality.

Some products on the market may lack proper testing and quality controls. Mood’s Delta-8 products are rigorously third-party tested to make sure they’re free from contaminants and meet our standards for quality and consistency.

Learn More: Know Your Weed: Mood's Third-Party Lab Testing Process

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