We all know that weed stays in your system longer than other drugs like alcohol or cocaine. But just how long exactly? And what effects does it have on you? Understanding the answer to this question is important. As it will help you understand the repercussions of your actions. For example, if you are planning on taking a drug test for a job, college, etc. Knowing how long weed stays in your system is crucial to understanding how likely it is for you to test positive. This article will give you everything you need to know about how long weed stays in your system and what kind of implications that has on your future drug testing.

What Happens When You Smoke Weed?

When you smoke weed, the cannabis plant is combusted and some of the chemicals inside the plant will enter your bloodstream after you inhale. The chemicals that enter your bloodstream are called cannabinoids. The most prevalent cannabinoid in weed is THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis (the stuff that gets you high). You will also find another cannabinoid called CBD inside cannabis plants, but CBD doesn’t make you high. The amount of THC levels and CBD in the weed, will vary from strain to strain.

Urine Sampling

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?

So now that you have an understanding of what happens when you smoke weed and how it enters your system, let’s talk about how long weed stays in your system. In general, the main metabolites of weed stay in your system for about one month after you stop smoking. However, there are a few factors that contribute to how long weed stays in your system for specific individuals.

Age – The older you are, the longer weed stays in your system. This is because your metabolism slows down as you age, meaning that your body processes things more slowly. A younger person’s body will metabolize weed more quickly than an older person’s.

Frequency – If you smoke frequently, weed will stay in your system for a longer period of time. This is because as we mentioned earlier, weed stays in your system until it is metabolized and broken down entirely by your liver. The more weed you consume, the longer that process takes.

Intensity – The more intensely you smoke, the longer it will take for your body to process weed. If you smoke extremely frequently and intensely, it could take up to 3 months for your system to be completely weed-free.

How Long Does Weed Stay in your Urine, Blood, and Saliva?

Now that we’ve covered how long weed stays in your system, let’s talk about how long it stays in your urine, blood, and saliva. The main metabolites of weed stay in your urine for approximately 7-30 days after your last smoking session. Because urine tests are designed to detect these metabolites, it is very likely that you will test positive for weed if you are being tested within this time frame. Blood tests are even more accurate than urine tests, and it is likely that you will test positive for up to 2 – 7 days.

Saliva tests are the most difficult to pass, as they can detect the presence of weed in your system for up to 72 hours after your last smoking session. A hair test could detect the drug up to 90 days after your last use. Hair tests tend to be less reliable than other forms of cannabis drug testing.

Chart showing How Long Weed Stays in Your System!

What Makes Weed Stay in Your System for Longer?

While a high might only last a few hours, cannabis can linger in your body for days. Unfortunately, some people are more affected by THC than others. In some cases, THC stays in your system for longer as a result of genetics. The good news is that you can take action to speed up the process of weed leaving your system. Taking care of your general health and diet, while avoiding unnecessary medication, can all help speed up the process of THC leaving your system. Drinking water, getting enough sleep, and exercising can all help speed up the process.

Strategies to Help You Pass a Drug Test While Still Smoking Weed

First, let’s take a look at both short-term and long-term strategies to pass a drug test. If you have a marijuana drug test coming up in a few days, it may be possible to pass it without abstaining from weed completely. Here are a few short-term strategies that may help you pass a drug test in a few days:

  • Drink Lots of Water: When you smoke weed, THC and other chemicals are released into your system. When you drink water, you’re flushing these toxins out of your system. This is handy for an upcoming urine test.
  • Stay Healthy: Taking care of your general health and eating a balanced diet can help speed up the process of THC leaving your system. This is especially important in the days leading up to a drug test.
  • Exercise: Exercising can help you stay hydrated while also providing other health benefits. Body mass index (BMI). People with more body fat will retain THC for longer.
  • Stay Clean: This means showering and washing your clothes regularly to avoid bringing any weed particles into the testing area. Hair tests can detect cannabis for up to 90 days but can give false positives if the person being tested was recently in contact around secondhand marijuana smoke.

Urine Test Sample

Bottom Line

When it comes to weed, it’s best to plan ahead. If you have any drug tests coming up, it’s best to abstain from weed a few weeks before the test. Of course, this is easier said than done. It’s hard to quit cannabis cold turkey, especially when you have lots of stress in your life. The best thing you can do is be prepared. Know how long weed stays in your system, know when your next drug test is, and come up with a plan to pass the test. People who use marijuana regularly have reported positive drug test results after 45 days since last use.