Will Delta-8 THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

Delta-8 might be legal, but that doesn't mean it won't show up on a drug test. We break down the science behind the most common drug tests to help you figure out how and when you can enjoy your Delta-8 products.

Key Takeaways

• Drug tests generally can't differentiate between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC.
• Therefore, they will usually detect Delta-8 THC use.
• Some tests, like saliva and blood tests, can only detect Delta-8 THC use within the last few hours to days.
• Other tests, like hair tests, can detect Delta-8 THC use within the last few months.
• The likelihood of a positive result depends on several factors, including your body fat percentage, metabolism, frequency of use, dosage, and more.
• It's important to only take legal, high-quality Delta-8 THC products.

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Delta-8 THC and Drug Tests

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"Most drug tests do detect Delta-8 THC, regardless of whether it's legal. Whether it shows up, though, depends on several factors, including the kind of test and what Delta-8 product you take."

Delta-8 THC has exploded in popularity in recent years. Millions of people use it recreationally, for its euphoric and relaxing effects. Many more use it for stress, pain, sleep, and other reasons.

If you're one of those people, or are considering trying Delta-8 THC, there's an important question you need to consider: Will taking Delta-8 put you at risk of failing drug tests?

First, it's important to stress that hemp-derived Delta-8 THC is federally legal. It's also legal in most states, though state and local laws do vary.

Unfortunately, the legality of Delta-8 THC isn't as relevant as you might think. Drug tests don't discriminate between Delta-8 THC derived from legal hemp or illegal sources. They may also be applied as part of strict drug policies, implemented regardless of Delta-8's overall legality.

It's therefore entirely possible to test positive in a standard drug test after using Delta-8 THC. Most drug tests designed to detect THC can, and will, detect Delta-8 THC.

That's not guaranteed, though. It depends on various factors, which we'll discuss. Those include the type of Delta-8 THC products you consume. We'll discuss how you can ensure you're only taking the best products, too.

Before that, we need to break down how Delta-8 THC works.

How Delta-8 THC Works

Delta-8 THC, or Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of many cannabinoids naturally produced by the cannabis plant or hemp plant.

It's a psychoactive compound, which means it causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects. It does this by interacting with your body's endocannabinoid system. That system also connects to various other important bodily functions, like memory, mood, sleep, pain, and more.

This is why many people use Delta-8 THC for pain, stress, appetite, nausea, sleep, and many other reasons.

All this might sound similar to another cannabinoid you may have heard of: Delta-9 THC.

The Difference Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC

Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC are very similar. When you refer to "THC" generally, you're likely referring to Delta-9 THC. It's the primary psychoactive compound produced by Cannabis sativa, and is the most popular form of THC.

Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC have very similar chemical structures. That's why they cause similar effects.

However, Delta-8 is generally considered to cause a gentler high than Delta-9 THC. It's often called "diet weed" for that reason.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal?

Delta-8 might be similar to Delta-9 THC, but only one of the two substances is federally legal. It's not Delta-9, which remains a controlled substance.

In 2018, the US made hemp legal. Legal hemp, by definition, must contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

Fortunately, Delta-8 is also very similar to CBD. Manufacturers can harvest CBD from legal hemp and convert it into Delta-8 THC. The result is called hemp-derived Delta-8 THC.

Because it's derived from legal hemp, this Delta-8 THC is also legal under federal law. However, Delta-8 THC's legal status does vary between states and localities. Some states prohibit Delta-8 THC, so make sure to check your local laws and regulations before you buy THC products.

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How Drug Tests Work

Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC might be distinguished under the law. That isn't necessarily true for drug tests.

The two compounds are so similar, most drug tests can't tell the difference.

In part, that's because most standard drug tests aren't actually looking for THC itself. Instead, drug tests detect THC metabolites, such as THC-COOH. When your body breaks down THC, it produces THC metabolites.

Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC are converted into the same THC metabolites.

Therefore, if you test positive for Delta-8 THC, you may still be at risk of losing your job. Some employers enforce zero-tolerance policies on THC use, regardless of whether it's legal Delta-8 or Delta-9.

Generally, Delta-8 can be detected for several days to weeks after use. It has a half-life of around 24-36 hours. That means you might expect the concentration of Delta-8 THC in your body to half within 24-36 hours.

However, as we mentioned, taking Delta-8 THC doesn't guarantee a positive drug test result. Different drug screens rely on different methods, which have different detection windows.

The detection window is the length of time a drug test can detect THC use. In other words, it describes the expected length of time between THC use and a positive test.

Urine Tests

Urine tests are the most common drug test. They're often used in routine screenings to detect THC use. They require a urine sample, which is tested for THC and THC metabolites.

Urine tests have a detection window of roughly 30 days. In other words, if you've taken Delta-8 THC within the month preceding your test, you might expect a positive result.

However, for infrequent users, the detection time for urine tests can range from 3-7 days.

Saliva Tests

Saliva tests are among the easiest to conduct. They require a saliva sample, usually taken from the mouth with a cotton swab.

Saliva tests also have one of the shortest detection windows. They can usually detect THC use within the last 24 hours. However, the detection window can range from 1-3 days after use in some cases.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are a more invasive form of drug test. Unlike most tests, they look for THC itself in the bloodstream.

They're also very accurate, so they are often used in legal investigations. They require a blood sample.

Blood tests also have a very short detection window. They can generally only detect THC use in the 12 hours before the blood sample was drawn.

Hair Tests

Hair tests have the longest detection window. When you take Delta-8 THC, it and its metabolites enter your bloodstream. Some of that can become stored in the fat cells in your hair follicles.

THC and metabolites can remain in those cells for a long time. Hair tests can detect THC use within the 90 days before a hair sample is taken.

What Affects Detection Time

You might have noticed that many of these detection times are ranges or estimates. That's because several factors can influence how long Delta-8 THC remains in your system.

Some of these factors, like dosage, are more obvious. Others, like body fat percentage, are less so.

THC Use

As you might expect, the dosage and frequency at which you use Delta-8 THC can affect how long it stays in your system.

Generally, taking higher doses more frequently will cause it to remain in your system longer. On the other hand, taking lower doses less frequently will do the opposite. That's why detection windows are often separated based on whether you are a frequent or occasional user of Delta-8 THC.

Body Fat Percentage

You might recall how Delta-8 THC and its metabolites can be stored in the fat cells in your hair follicles. In fact, THC is generally lipophilic, which means it is soluble in fat rather than water.

That means THC can be stored in fat tissues throughout your body. Individuals with a higher body fat percentage may therefore store THC for longer.

Individual Metabolism

Different people have different metabolisms. That means their bodies may break down THC at different rates.

Your metabolism can also change over time. Generally, it gets slower with age.

Where to Get High-Quality Delta-8 THC

Another factor that can influence how long THC remains in your system is the kind of product you use.

In part, that's because some Delta-8 products have been found to contain undisclosed amounts of Delta-9 THC. Others have been found to contain different concentrations of Delta-8 THC than advertised. Still others have been found to contain potentially harmful contaminants.

One great way to ensure you are getting quality Delta-8 THC is by checking that the manufacturer of your products submits those products for testing. Clean Remedies tests all of its Delta-8 THC products with an independent, third-party laboratory for purity and potency.

You can check the results of these tests by examining the certificate of analysis included with your product.

The only thing left to do after that is choose what product you want. There's no shortage of choice, and no right answer. Different options are better for different people and different situations.

A Delta-8 THC tincture is a versatile choice. We blend Delta-8 THC and broad-spectrum CBD for a ritual of balance and renewal. You can take the oil straight from the bottle, mix it into your favorite drink, or use it to make delicious homemade THC edibles.

You could also grab professionally made edibles. Each of our natural green apple-flavored Delta-8 THC Gummies contains 20mg of Delta-8 THC. For something a little softer, try our natural strawberry-flavored Delta-8 THC Gummies, which each contain 10mg of Delta-8 THC.

"These are euphoric," says Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "I like to use them to help me unwind in the evening, help me to go to sleep, or even as an alcohol substitute."

If you prefer chocolate, try our Chocolate Haze. Each square of hand-crafted milk chocolate contains 50mg of Delta-8 THC. Alternatively, our Chocolate Dream blends Delta-8 THC with other natural ingredients like CBN and Valerian root to help you settle into deeper rest. Chocolate with THC is the best way to indulge and relax at the same time.

Conclusion

Drug tests can't differentiate between legal Delta-8 THC and other forms of THC, like Delta-9 THC. They may, therefore, detect Delta-8 THC use. However, various factors influence whether a test will return a positive result, including the type of test, frequency of Delta-8 THC use, and the kind of Delta-8 THC product you used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Delta-8 Fail a Urine Test?

Yes, urine tests can detect Delta-8 THC. They cannot differentiate between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC.

Is Delta-8 Hard to Get Out of Your System?

It usually takes a few days for the body to eliminate Delta-8 THC after a single use. However, this timeframe can vary widely depending on several factors, including the dose, frequency of use, your body fat percentage, and more. There isn't really a way to flush Delta-8 out of your system, but staying hydrated can help support your body's normal metabolic processes.

How Long Does Delta-8 Stay In Your System?

That depends on several factors, including how often you use Delta-8, how much you take, your body fat percentage, and your metabolism. Infrequent users might clear Delta-8 from their system within days, while frequent users might take a week. Certain tests, like hair tests, can detect Delta-8 THC for months after last use.

Keep Reading: How Long Do THC Edibles Stay in Your System?

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