Studies show that medical marijuana has a number of therapeutic benefits that could help treat a variety of medical conditions. If a patient has a medical marijuana card, the US government has made it easy for them to obtain marijuana to treat their medical conditions. You can access, possess, and buy marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries if you have a medical card. Additionally, it spares patients from facing legal consequences for their marijuana use. You can easily apply online for the cheapest medical marijuana card from the comfort of your home if you’re a patient looking to include marijuana in your prescribed regimen.
Popular and not subject to federal regulation, delta-8 THC has effects akin to those of the more well-known delta-9 THC. Furthermore, using delta-8 can result in a failed drug test, just like delta-9 THC.
Present drug tests are unable to distinguish between these two forms of THC, even if delta-8 is permitted in your state. Therefore, continue reading if you have an upcoming drug test to find out more about delta-8, how drugs are screened for, and how to reduce the likelihood that you will receive a positive result.
What is Delta-8?
While it has a chemical structure similar to that of regular THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid found in cannabis that is thought to be less potent.
Users of delta-8 THC typically report feeling slightly less anxious and confused while still experiencing a weightless, intoxicating high that is comparable to other cannabis products. Although the market is filled with products high in delta-8, most of them are manufactured from hemp-derived CBD plants using unregulated chemical processes, which makes them potentially hazardous.
Delta-8 vs. Delta-9
Within the THC molecule, a single molecular bond on one ring accounts for the differences between delta-8 and delta-9 THC. While the two substances have almost the same structure and similar effects on intoxication, delta-8 THC is anecdotally less potent than the more well-known delta-9 THC. Additionally, they produce many of the same health benefits by binding to the same cannabinoid receptors (CB1 receptors) in the brain and peripheral nervous system.
In addition to having a slightly different chemical composition, delta-9 THC is much more prevalent in cannabis plants than delta-8 THC, which is comparatively rare. Nevertheless, because of a provision in the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized it on a federal level (unlike marijuana, which is illegal), it is becoming more and more popular with consumers.
Can Delta-8 Appear on a Drug Test?
A drug test does reveal delta-8-THC.
Their metabolites, delta-8 THCA and delta-9 THCA, share structural similarities with each other. Delta-8 can cause someone to fail a THC drug test because the two metabolites have similar molecular weights and chemical compositions.
THC metabolites are detected in a subject’s urine, blood, hair, sweat, or spit by drug tests. A test subject who has used a delta-8 product—which might be permissible in their state of residence—may test positive for the more prevalent delta-9 THC but falsely positive for delta-8.
How Long Does Delta-8 THC Stay in Your System?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the effects of delta-8 THC can linger in the body for up to five hours, despite the paucity of studies on this topic. Its metabolites can remain in the human body for up to 90 days, just like delta-9. The majority of drug tests only identify metabolites a few days after drug use, but chronic delta-8 users can show positive test results for up to 30 days after using the drug.
The amount of time that delta-8 metabolites stay in the body depends on a number of factors, including:
- The amount you’ve eaten
- How often and for how long have you been consuming delta-8
- The rate at which your metabolism functions
- Your ECS, or endocannabinoid system
People who have never used delta-8 before and have quick metabolisms might be able to get rid of the compound’s metabolites in a few days, but long-term users with slower metabolisms might need several weeks to see any effects.
Tips for Passing a Drug Test
Even though delta-8’s effects wear off in a few hours, there are situations in which you might need to quickly remove its metabolites from your body. Depending on certain conditions, follow these guidelines to pass a drug test when required.
First, the sensitivity and capacity of the test to detect delta-8 in a sample depend on the kind of drug test. Tests involving saliva, blood, or urine are simpler to pass since these bodily fluids pass through your system quickly.
- THC can be detected in urine for up to three days in the case of inexperienced cannabis users or five to ten days in the case of seasoned users. Consequently, it’s a good idea to abstain from THC-containing products at least ten days prior to a planned drug test.
- For more chronic cannabis users, blood tests can identify delta-8 anywhere from three to 25 days after consumption. Blood tests are often used to check for recent cannabis use because vaporized delta-8 remains in your bloodstream for a few days.
- Delta-8 can be found in saliva drug tests up to 72 hours after usage. When you are suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, these are primarily helpful in roadside checks.
- Testing on hair follicles yields different results because hair grows much more slowly and THC can linger in hair follicles for up to three months. Thankfully, hair tests are much less common, even though they are at least five times more sensitive than urine tests.
- Genetics, total body fat, frequency, and dose all influence how long delta-8 THC stays in your system. Your metabolism can be accelerated by exercise and a good diet, but these are long-term solutions that won’t help you in an emergency.
It might be advisable to stop using in the days leading up to a drug test; ideally, a month beforehand, if you need to pass one.
Final Words!
It can be very challenging to get rid of cannabinoids from your system, no matter how the drug test is conducted. If you have to pass a drug test, stop using any THC products at least one month in advance. The best defenses against a positive test result are time and patience. You can reach out to a MMJ card doctor to learn more about drug tests and how to pass one.
