Cannabis is a complex plant containing over 100 kinds of different cannabinoids. These unique chemical compounds are known to offer users a ton of potential benefits and enjoyable effects. Prior to 2018, the two most commonly known cannabinoids were cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC). However, after the 2018 Farm Bill passed, Delta-8 (THC’s “chemical cousin”) has been gaining notoriety.
Melee Dose creates popular hemp-derived delta-8-THC products that are legal in all 50 states under the 2018 Farm Bill. Our premium products are made from 100% legal hemp and contain less than 0.3% of delta-9-THC, as required by law. But, if Delta 8 is legal, do you really have to worry about it showing up on a drug test? Our team prides itself on our transparency, including being honest about telling you if you need to worry about popping dirty on a drug test.
If you’re wondering “Does delta 8 show up on a drug test?”— this guide is for you. Continue reading to learn more about the time it takes for delta 8 to break down in your body, how the cannabinoid responds to different types of drug tests, and things you can do to avoid getting a positive (or false positive) result. And nobody wants that.
Does Delta 8 Show Up On A Drug Test?
Let’s dive right in! The short answer is yes, although it is legal, delta-8-THC might show up on a drug test. As you may or may not know, drug tests don’t specifically screen for delta-9-THC molecules, they test for THC metabolites present in your system instead. Depending on the type of test, the potency of your favorite delta 8 product, and your frequency of use, THC metabolites from delta 8 can show up on a drug test for 90+ days.
So, How Long Do I Need To Be Clean From Delta 8 To Pass A Drug Test?
The effects of delta 8 products might leave you feeling blissfully relaxed and potentially pain-free. But it’s funny (not funny ha ha, funny weird) how the effects of this cannabinoid might be so short-lived and still cause you to pop dirty on a drug test long after you’ve tried it. The truth is, the more delta 8 you consume, and the longer you consume it, the harder it might be for you to quickly pass a test.
There isn’t a lot of research on the things that can cause delta-8-THC to stay in your system for so long. However, since we do know the factors that contribute to delta 9 breaking down so slowly, it’s safe to assume the same may apply to delta 8. These include:
- How often you use delta 8 products, and the dose you consume.
- Your metabolism and other genetic factors.
- Your chosen product type. Research shows, delta 8 edibles have the potential to remain in your system slightly longer than delta 8 vapes.
The type of test used will also have an impact on the probability of a positive (or false positive) drug test. If you can, try to find out what type of test you are preparing yourself for ahead of time.
Types of Drug Tests: Urine vs Saliva vs Hair vs Blood
Here is a quick breakdown of the types of drug tests used, and the standard timelines for finding cannabis compounds in your system. In case you’re as impatient as us, we’ve listed the test types in order of the highest chances of testing positive with delta 8 to the lowest.
Urine Test
Results for this type of test can vary, but many consider this the most sensitive style of a drug test for THC products because it looks for remnants of THC (in the form of THC-COOH) that are stored in your fat cells. If you rarely use delta 8, it is possible to test positive for up to 15+ days after your last hit. For regular consumers, it can take over 30 days for THC metabolites to leave your system. As a rule of thumb, it is safe to assume that edibles might stay in your system for up to a week after a single dose—and even longer for regular edible eaters.
Saliva Test
It was originally thought that Delta-8-THC could be detected in your spit for up to 48 hours (two days) after your last hit. But, a 2020 review of people who frequently smoke cannabis products uncovered that THC was still showing in saliva-style drug tests after 72 hours of use.
Hair Follicle Test
If you’re preparing for a hair test, be prepared. This type of test can find the smallest amounts of THC in your system for the longest period of time. Hair-style drug tests have the ability to find THC 90+ days past the point of last consumption.
Blood Test
While this type of test is rare when it is used a blood draw can detect THC for 36+ hours after the last date of use. This timeframe has the potential to increase for frequent users.
How To Avoid A Dirty Drug Test?
You obviously don’t want to fail a drug test if you don’t have to. If you have time to prepare for your screening, it is recommended that you follow the same detox protocol as you would with any cannabis or delta-9-THC product. While the best thing you can do is give it time, there are some healthy habits that may help your body to healthily detox delta 8 from your system more quickly. These include exercising, staying hydrated, eating a healthy and balanced diet, and taking a tolerance break.
If you’re new to tolerance breaks. This just means that you take a break from a product or substance for a certain amount of time, allowing it to leave your system naturally. If you have only tried delta 8 a few times, you might be lucky enough to pass a drug test after 1-5 days of a tolerance break. If you use delta 8 on a semi-regular basis, it can take 1-3 weeks for it to leave your system. Lastly, if you use delta 8 every day, it might take you up to 6 weeks or longer before you’re able to pass a drug test.
Conclusion:
So does delta 8 show up on a drug test? Unfortunately, yes. This is because whether you’ve consumed delta-9-THC from cannabis or delta-8-THC from hemp, the molecules break down into the same THC metabolites. These same metabolites determine if you receive a positive (or false positive) on a test. This means that consuming any THC derivative (delta 8, delta 9, delta 10) can cause you to have a dirty panel.
If you’re new to delta 8, you might still have some questions. Fortunately, the knowledgeable team at Melee Dose has the answers! The goal of our blog is to be as transparent and informative as possible so you can find the perfect products to meet your needs. We wholeheartedly believe in the magic of hemp-derived cannabinoids and are proud of our ability to supply our customers with safe and affordable products from the comfort of their homes. Visit our online store to find out more information about the tantalizing products we produce and to place your order.
