How to pass a drug test for weed–the ultimate guide
Chances are, you’ve landed here because you need to know how to pass a drug test. Despite a record 21 states having legalized adult-use cannabis and nearly 40 running medal marijuana programs, many states still allow employers to drug test their employees for cannabis and use a positive test as grounds for termination or exclusion from hiring. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with all the answers you need.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the different types of drug tests and how long they can detect drugs in your body, and what protections your state of residence offers for employees who test positive for cannabis. Learn what you can do right now to support your body’s detoxification and how to get weed out of your system in time for your drug test.
What are your state’s drug testing laws?
Before you freak out, do a little research on your local drug testing laws. Many states offer some protections for current and prospective employees if they test positive for cannabis. California and New York, for example, prevent discrimination based on a positive test, and some employees have successfully taken their cases to court to reinstate their employment.
However, it’s also fair to assume states with no cannabis legislation also come down hard on consumers. Check out our article on state-by-state drug testing laws to determine your next steps.
Which type of drug test do you need to pass?
There are four main types of drug tests used to detect alcohol and scheduled substances—including THC—in your system. They each have varying detection windows, so finding out what type of test you have to take as soon as possible greatly impacts your preparedness and peace of mind.
Urine test
Employers use the urine drug testing method far more often than any other form due to its convenience and low cost. The most common urine analysis used can detect 50ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or higher of THC in your system. This means that you must have at least 50 nanograms of THC per milliliter of urine for the test to return positive. Because cannabinoids, including THC, bind easily to lipids in the body, even a couple of hits of a joint can remain detectable in the body for days afterward.
This method of testing is the easiest to overcome by getting your THC levels below this threshold. The most common problem people face with a urine test is the time it takes to lower THC levels in your body.
Because urine tests often come with little notice, many people choose a detox drink to cleanse their system on the day of their test for quick results. Others who have a little more time often use a detox kit and program to permanently cleanse their system so they can pass a urine drug test anytime.
How long does THC stay in your urine?
If you smoke weed daily, it may show up in your urine for 30-45 days after your last session, and potentially longer. This varies based on what kind of cannabis products you consume and body factors, such as metabolism and body fat percentage.
The potency of the cannabis you consume also plays a role; someone who prefers concentrates and extracts over smoking joints may test positive for THC for up to 60 days due to the high concentration of THC. Light to moderate users (a couple of times a month to a couple of times a week) may pass their test in 15-30 days. See more information about detection factors below.
Blood test
Blood testing is rather expensive and invasive (they require extracting blood from the subject), so it isn’t used often. Yet, if someone really wanted to find out how recently you’ve consumed THC, blood testing would be the most time-sensitive method of choice—blood tests are best for determining if someone is currently under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have a detection window of minutes to hours from the last use of substances.
THC hits the bloodstream within seconds after inhalation of flower, vape cartridge, or concentrate, and within an hour of ingesting an edible. In rare circumstances, a blood test may be administered by law enforcement. Using a permanent cleanser could help flush THC in your system for a blood test.
How long does THC stay in your blood?
Light cannabis consumers (less than once a week) will likely only test positive for THC in a blood test for 1-7 days after use. Heavy, chronic consumers may test positive for 45-60 days.
Hair follicle test
A hair follicle test is the least forgiving of them all, as it can detect substances for many months after consumption—it’s also quite invasive. You need much more than a few strands, and these tests are nearly impossible to fake. Hair follicle tests are best for showing long-term patterns of use.
No matter what you read online, bleaching or shaving your head won’t negate your test results, as the metabolites of the substances get stored within the hair shaft. Additionally, some medications have been shown to produce false positives, so the most-trusted way to pass a hair follicle test is with a detox shampoo.
How long does THC stay in your hair?
Hair follicle testing can typically detect THC use for 90-120 days, but heavy users may show THC that dates back up to six months. Most hair follicle tests require an inch and a half of hair for analysis from multiple strands. What if you’re bald or have short hair? A larger surface area is collected on the head, or in some cases, body hair is perfectly suitable.
Saliva test
Saliva, or mouth swab testing, is not as common as urinalysis (urine testing). It’s often used as a way to catch suspected drug users in the act, as the detection window is quite short (usually up to 72 hours for cannabis). Law enforcement, for example, might use a saliva test if they suspect you are under the influence while driving. An employer may use one following a workplace accident.
Mouth swabs are gaining popularity because they are quick and less costly to administer and provide fast results. All you have to do is swab the inside of each cheek and mix it with a solution that will indicate the presence of THC.
How long does THC stay in your saliva?
THC is only detectable in saliva for less than a week days after the last time you consumed it, although it’s possible for heavy users to have THC detectable up to 30 days after last use.
Reasons why THC stays in your system
The reality is, how much THC stays in your system and for how long varies from person to person. Everyone metabolizes THC a bit differently, but there are some indicators to help you analyze your personal situation.
Levels of THC in your body
Above all, dosage and frequency of use have the biggest impact on determining factors in how long weed stays in your system. Taking one hit of weed every now and then as opposed to smoking, dabbing, or ingesting every day is an obvious comparison, but the form factor matters.
Someone who eats 100mg THC edibles a few times a week will take a lot longer to pass a drug test than someone who takes a few hits off a joint each week due to how the body metabolizes edibles. Dabs, extracts, and concentrates are much more potent than straight flower, and their higher THC amounts can linger.
Body mass index
Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement of height and weight used to quantify overall tissue mass. Why is this important? As soon as the body processes THC, it becomes a THC metabolite. Because THC is a fat-soluble molecule, the metabolites bond to fat cells until they are eventually burned and excreted from the body. So, the higher your body fat percentage, the greater the amount of THC stored in your fat cells, even if you don’t necessarily feel high.
If two people consume the same amount of cannabis simultaneously, it’s likely that the person with more body fat will take longer to detox naturally. However, keep in mind BMI doesn’t always accurately predict body fat percentage, and there are exceptions to every rule.
Metabolism & overall health
Metabolism plays a significant role in THC detox. We know that THC metabolites are stored in the body’s fat cells, so to purge them from your system, you need to increase the rate of metabolization via exercise and focus on fat cells. This happens all the time with regular activity, but not everyone has the same rate of metabolism. Some people burn fat quickly, while others require extra effort. General health plays a role here, too. If you are chronically dehydrated, live a sedentary lifestyle, or are generally unwell, it can take longer to detox from THC.
Metabolism & overall health
Metabolism plays a significant role in THC detox. We know that THC metabolites are stored in the body’s fat cells, so to purge them from your system, you need to increase the rate of metabolization via exercise and focus on fat cells. This happens all the time with regular activity, but not everyone has the same rate of metabolism. Some people burn fat quickly, while others require extra effort. General health plays a role here, too. If you are chronically dehydrated, live a sedentary lifestyle, or are generally unwell, it can take longer to detox from THC.
Drink water
Hydration helps your body work better and faster. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily to keep your systems in optimal condition. You can also drink herbal teas, cranberry juice, and clear broths to help increase hydration. Stay away from sugary drinks, alcohol, and too much caffeine.
Get moving
Time to pump your heart rate up! Kick up that exercise routine, try a new cardio class, and get back on the treadmill. Burning energy, sweating, and attacking fat cells lead to purging THC, so put on your sneakers and get to it.
Consider your diet
No detox is complete without dietary adjustments. It’s time to go easy on your digestive organs and reduce or eliminate red meat, pork, dairy, sugar, wheat, and processed foods. Keep it clean with lots of leafy greens, fresh fruits, and vegetables. If you prefer animal protein, stick to grilled fish and poultry.
Detox products
Once you know your timeline and type of test, you can select your detox products to further increase your odds of passing. PassYourTest offers detox programs designed to help you permanently cleanse your system or just get through your drug test without peeing dirty.
Detox kits
Detox kits from PassYourTest are designed to completely cleanse your system of unwanted toxins. So long as you quit consuming cannabis and complete the detox program outlined above, you will remain clean indefinitely. But if you smoke again, you can and likely will fail a drug test. The cleansers work best to prepare you for urine and blood tests, with a choice of a 5-day or 10-day detox. As soon as you complete the program, you should be able to pass a drug test anytime. Each program comes with home THC test kits so you can test yourself to verify you are clean when done.
Same-day detox drinks
Detox drinks are the go-to solution for anyone with limited time to prepare for a urine drug test, though it is not a magical cure that will ensure a negative test. Take the same-day detox drink 2-3 hours before your drug test. Once you take the product, it begins to work within 90 minutes and lasts up to 6 hours. After that, THC will begin to circulate through your system again. This is designed as a temporary fix to pass your test in a pinch. Don’t consume any cannabis during this timeframe or it can disrupt the results, causing you to fail.
Source: leafly.com
