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How Long Does Cannabis Last In Your System

How Long Does Cannabis Last In Your System

There may have been times when you start to wonder, how long does Cannabis actually stay in your system? The answer to this question from Our Dacanna, Hamilton Weed Dispensary  isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. Even though the Cannabis “high” subsides after two to six hours, the THC stays in your system for over a month. It also depends on how much Cannabis you have consumed before the drug test. Let’s further delve into the reason why Cannabis stays in your system and why is it important to know how long it stays.

Why is it important to know how long Cannabis stays in the system?

Now, why does the duration matter? Why should you know the period when Cannabis or THC stays in your system. Generally, it is for employment purposes. Canadian laws and company policies greatly differ all over the country. So your current employer or your future employer may ask for a drug test. While some companies are quite lax with Cannabis, others may have problems with consuming marijuana. So it is important to know your company policies. There are 5 main situations where you might want to avoid cannabis smoking:

  • A zero-tolerance policy

A zero-tolerance policy is generally quite a strict one and it states that the company would not tolerate any type of drug use, including Cannabis. Since Canadian law has changed and evolved medicinal and recreational use of cannabis has become legalized in many parts of the country. However, the zero-tolerance policy states that you can get fired immediately if you are caught with cannabis. A general term to look out for in the company policy is “fit for duty” which means that you cannot be under the influence of any drug or alcohol while working.

  •   Random drug tests

Your company might also conduct random drug tests for its employees. Depending on their own policies you may be fired or not for failing the test. However, it is now proven that the random drug tests aren’t nearly as accurate for Cannabis use. Since it is not clear how our bodies process THC, it is nearly impossible to determine if the person is intoxicated or not.

  •   Reasonable suspicion drug test

An individual can also be specifically asked to take a drug test if the employer believes that they are using drugs that may be hindering their ability to perform at work. These drug tests are pretty rare and you will only be asked if they suspect that you are using Cannabis at work. Depending on the company’s policy, failing the drug test can get you fired or they can recommend you take substance abuse counseling.

  • Post-accident drug test

An employee may also be asked for a drug test if an accident occurs at the workplace. The main reason for asking for this drug test is to ensure that drugs were not a factor in the incident taking place. Usually, the drug test will be taken within 12 hrs of the accident, and depending on the results, the employee will be reprimanded or have disciplinary action taken against them.

  • Pre-employment drug test

One of the most common reasons why you might be asked to take a drug test is before you get employed at a company. Most companies do not prefer to hire an employee who is using drugs or they discourage drug use within their employees. If you fail the drug test, it allows the company grounds to not hire you even if you are the best candidate available for the position.

Why does Cannabis stay in your system for so long?

The main compound in Cannabis is THC. THC is responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis.  When you smoke, THC is absorbed by your bloodstream. It is stored in the organs and the tissues of the body. Later it is broken down by the liver and metabolized to form a compound called THC-COOH, which is then released by the body. This THC-COOH  is responsible for the positive drug tests, not the THC itself. Since the THC is stored in the organs and tissues, it lingers in the system for much longer than other intoxicants. Thus, chronic cannabis users can still test positive for a drug test even after they have stopped using for a couple of days.

Usually, THC stays in the system for about a month or more. However, many factors influence this time period. The user’s age, body weight, gender, how often they use cannabis and the dosage can all contribute to the time period THC stays in your system. Once you have already consumed Cannabis there isn’t much you can do to speed up the process of THC releasing from your system. The best you can do is eat healthy, stay hydrated and exercise which may speed up the breakdown of THC by a small amount.

A study that was conducted found that Cannabis could be detected for about 3 days for first-time cannabis users, 5-7 days for people who smoke 3-4 times a week, and 30 days or more for people who use Cannabis once a day.

How does cannabis compare to other drugs?

You may also be wondering how cannabis compares to other drugs. How long do they stay in your system? Alcohol can be detected in your system for up to 24 hrs. Psychedelics such as magic mushrooms containing the compound psilocybin usually stay in the system for 15 hrs and methamphetamines can be found in the system 3 to 4 days after use. Thus, THC is a compound that stays the longest in your system as compared to other drugs.

Tolerance breaks

If you do have an upcoming drug test or the fact that THC builds up in your organs and tissues has motivated you to quit, a tolerance break is a good proposition. A tolerance break is quitting cannabis temporarily so your body can detox and determine if your body is dependent on the THC. A tolerance break can also amplify the effects of cannabis after you start using it again which further enhances your cannabis experience.

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